Vaughan Gething elected head of Wales government, becoming Europe's first Black leader

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Vaughan Gething on Wednesday was elected as the first minister of Wales, becoming the first Black leader of a government in the UK and in any European country.

The 50-year-old won the contest to be leader of Wales' governing Labour Party on Saturday. He secured 27 of 51 votes in the legislature, the Senedd, and succeeds Mark Drakeford.

Becoming the first Black leader of any European country is "a matter of pride," but also a "daunting responsibility," he told lawmakers.

"I believe the Wales of today and the future will be owned by all those decent people who recognize that our parliament and our government should look like our country," Gething added. He also thanked Drakeford "for everything you have done for Wales."

Gething was born in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, in 1974 to a Welsh father and a Zambian mother. He has been a member of the Senedd for Cardiff South and Penarth since 2011.

Gething is married to Michelle, with a son living in Penarth, where he has lived since 2011.