The deputy first minister of Wales (Welsh: dirprwy brif weinidog Cymru) is the deputy leader of the Welsh Government. The post was created in October 2000 when Mike German of the Welsh Liberal Democrats was appointed Deputy First Minister as part of a coalition government with Welsh Labour. Since the office was created, the holder has traditionally been the party leader of the junior partner in coalition with Welsh Labour, though this changed in 2024 with the appointment of Labour's Huw Irranca-Davies in the Labour government of Eluned Morgan.[1]
| Deputy First Minister of Wales | |
|---|---|
| Dirprwy Brif Weinidog Cymru (Welsh) | |
 | |
 | |
| Inaugural holder | Mike German |
| Formation | 16 October 2000 |
The last holder was Ieuan Wyn Jones of Plaid Cymru who was also the minister for the Economy and Transport. Ieuan Wyn Jones served in the office as part of the One Wales agreement between Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour between 2007 and 2011.
During the July 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election, Eluned Morgan stated that she was running on a joint ticket, with the role of Deputy First Minister to be resurrected under her government, and the position to be granted to Huw Irranca-Davies.[2] This would mark the first time that a Deputy First Member was not the member of a junior partner in a coalition, and the first time that it would be held by a member of Welsh Labour.
Morgan confirmed Irranca-Davies as deputy in her government on 6 August 2024.[3]
List of Deputy First Ministers
| Name | Time in office | Political party | First Minister | Government | Other office held | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael German | .jpg) |
16 October 2000 – 8 May 2003 Acting: Jenny Randerson (6 July 2001 – 13 June 2002) |
Liberal Democrats | Rhodri Morgan | Labour – Liberal Democrat Coalition | Minister for Economic Development 2000–2001 Minister for Rural Affairs and Wales Abroad 2002–2003 | |
| Office not in use 8 May 2003 – 11 July 2007 | |||||||
| Ieuan Wyn Jones | .jpg) |
11 July 2007 – 13 May 2011 | Plaid Cymru | Rhodri Morgan |
Labour – Plaid Cymru Coalition | Minister for the Economy and Transport | |
| Office not in use 13 May 2011 – 6 August 2024 | |||||||
| Huw Irranca-Davies | .jpg) |
6 August 2024 – present | Welsh Labour | Eluned Morgan | Eluned Morgan government | Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs | |
See also
References
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