Vaughan Gething has been elected as the new first minister of Wales, making history as the first Black leader of a government in the United Kingdom. Members of the Welsh parliament in Cardiff elected Gething to lead the government, four days after he won the contest to be leader of Wales' governing Labour Party.

With 27 out of 51 votes in the Senedd, where Labour is the largest party, Gething secured his position as the new first minister. In his acceptance speech, Gething, who is the son of a Welsh father and a Zambian mother, expressed his pride in Wales becoming "the first nation anywhere in Europe to be led by a Black person." He acknowledged the weight of responsibility and vowed to lead a country that celebrates diversity and unity.

Gething's appointment as first minister is awaiting approval from King Charles III, a formality before he is sworn in. This landmark leadership adds to the growing diversity in the UK's political landscape, as three out of the four governments now have nonwhite leaders. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has Indian heritage, Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf originates from a Pakistani background, and the leadership of Northern Ireland is shared by Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly.

Wales, one of the four nations of the United Kingdom, has a population of approximately 3 million people. While the British government in London handles defense and foreign affairs, the administrations in Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast are responsible for budgetary matters such as education and health.

Gething, who served as Wales' health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, has also held the position of economy minister since 2021. As he takes over as first minister, he faces the challenge of navigating Wales' relationship with the Conservative administration in London, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Additionally, Wales has been witnessing protests by farmers against environmental regulations, similar to those experienced in other European countries.

The appointment of Vaughan Gething as the first Black first minister of Wales marks a significant milestone in the UK's political history. With a commitment to celebrating diversity and uniting the nation, Gething's leadership offers a new perspective in Wales' governance, creating a more inclusive and representative government for all its citizens.