Rhun ap Iorwerth is now firmly on course to become Wales’ next First Minister following a dramatic and historic breakthrough for Plaid Cymru in the 2026 Senedd election.

The path to the top job became clear after confirmation that Plaid Cymru’s 43 Members of the Senedd would be backed by the Senedd’s two Green members in the crucial First Minister vote expected to take place as early as Tuesday.

Under the Senedd’s rules, the successful candidate only needs more votes than any rival candidate — not an outright majority of all Members of the Senedd.

That means there is now no mathematical route for opposition parties to block ap Iorwerth from taking office. Even if Reform UK and the Welsh Conservatives combined their votes, they would still fall short.

The result marks a political turning point for Wales and an extraordinary rise for the former journalist from Anglesey who could soon lead the Welsh Government.

Ap Iorwerth currently represents Ynys Môn in the Senedd — a constituency deeply rooted in Welsh language, culture and rural coastal communities. The island seat has long been one of Plaid Cymru’s most symbolic strongholds and has played a major role in shaping his political identity.

He lives on Ynys Môn and was brought up in a strongly Welsh-speaking household. He is the son of the late broadcaster and author Trefor ap Iorwerth, a respected figure in Welsh media and cultural life.

Before entering politics, Rhun ap Iorwerth built a high-profile career as a journalist with BBC Cymru Wales, becoming one of the best-known faces in Welsh broadcasting. His years covering Welsh public life and politics gave him a strong public profile before he entered the Senedd in 2013 following a by-election victory.

Since becoming leader of Plaid Cymru in 2023, he has worked to broaden the party’s appeal beyond its traditional heartlands, focusing heavily on health services, the cost of living, housing and economic growth alongside Welsh language and independence issues.

His first trip back to the Senedd Cymru after Plaid Cymru’s landmark election success is expected to be one of the most significant moments in modern Welsh political history.

For supporters, it represents the culmination of decades of campaigning to place Plaid Cymru at the head of government in Cardiff Bay. For opponents, it signals a major reshaping of Welsh politics after years of Labour dominance.

Scenes at the Senedd are expected to be highly charged as newly elected Members arrive following an election that dramatically altered the political landscape across Wales.

If confirmed as First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth would become the first Plaid Cymru leader to hold the role outright, ushering in a new era for Welsh politics and a profound moment for the party’s supporters across the country.