Vaughan Gething announced as new first minister of Wales

Vaughan Gething has been elected as the new Welsh Labour leader and first minister of Wales, becoming the first black leader of a European country.

The 50-year-old, who has served as the Welsh health and economy minister, will succeed Mark Drakeford when he is formally appointed next week.

Gething beat his only rival, the education minister Jeremy Miles. He will become the country’s fifth leader since the National Assembly for Wales, now called the Senedd, was established in 1999.

Gething and his son, Isaac, at Cardiff University, where he was unveiled as the next Welsh Labour leader

BEN BIRCHALL/PA

His appointment was announced on Saturday morning in a lecture hall at Cardiff University.

He takes over at a difficult time in Wales, with the country facing protests from farmers over environmental reforms, struggling with record-high NHS waiting lists, and a public backlash over Drakeford’s decision