Europe's First Black Leader... Bon Gessing Elected Head of Welsh Devolved Government

Born in Zambia... Current Minister of Economy
"Turning a New Page in History Today"

Ben Gething (50), Wales Secretary for Economy, has been elected as the head of the Welsh Government, according to British media outlets including BBC and The Guardian on the 16th (local time).

Foreign media reported that he is the first Black head of the Welsh Government and the first Black leader in European history.

Elected as the head of the Welsh Government in the United Kingdom, Ben Gething
[Photo by AP·Yonhap News]

Born in Zambia, he said in a speech after winning the Welsh Labour Party leadership election, the largest party in Wales, "Today we turn a page in our country's history," adding, "Not only do I have the honor of becoming the first Black leader among European countries, but the 'generation scale' has also leapt forward."

He also stated, "The transfer of power is not something I need to get used to, adapt to, or apologize for," and "The transfer of power, and Wales' solutions to Welsh issues and opportunities, are in my blood." Gething is set to officially take office on the 20th.

Mark Drakeford, who has led the Welsh Government for five years, will step down on the 19th.

Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, which is likely to come to power in this year's UK general election, sent congratulations to Gething in a statement.

On the 16th, Rhun ap Iorwerth was elected as the First Minister of the Welsh Government in the United Kingdom.
[Photo by AP·Yonhap News]

Starmer said, "On behalf of the entire Labour Party, I look forward to campaigning with Ben in a new chapter for Wales and establishing a Labour government across the UK."

Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister from the Conservative Party, also stated on social media that he would cooperate constructively.