Following the resignation of Mark Drakeford,[6][7] Gething was elected Leader of the Labour party on 16 March 2024[8][9] and appointed First Minister on 20 March.[4] He became the first black leader of any European country.[10]
Gething announced his cabinet on 21 March. Upon appointing his cabinet, Gething stated "this stellar ministerial team will answer the call of the generation in wanting to create a stronger, fairer, greener Wales".[11] Senior ministers in the cabinet were once again named "cabinet secretaries" with junior ministers referred to as "ministers", as they were in Carwyn Jones's third government.[3]
On 16 May 2024, Gething announced that he had dismissed Blythyn from the government.[12] In his statement, Gething stated that he had "no alternative" after reviewing evidence regarding a "recent disclosure of communication to the media."[12] Blythyn denied the allegations.[12]Sarah Murphy was appointed to Blythyn's former role on 17 May 2024.[13]
On 16 July 2024, four ministers resigned from the government. Counsel General Mick Antoniw, Cabinet Secretary for Economy Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for Housing Julie James and Cabinet Secretary for Culture Lesley Griffiths.[14] Shortly after, Gething himself resigned as First Minister and Leader of Welsh Labour, and will remain in office until his successor is elected.[15]
Gething also made tweaks to the remaining cabinet, replacing the 4 resigning ministers. He appointed Jack Sargeant to the role of Minister for Social Partnership, with the previous holder Sarah Murphy to take the role of Minister for Mental Health and Early Years. Jayne Bryant, the previous Mental Health and Early Years Minister, was made Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Housing, replacing Julie James. Responsibility for the Economy was given to Ken Skates, responsibility for the Welsh Language was granted to Eluned Morgan, and the brief for Culture and Social Justice was added to the roles of Jane Hutt. Gething himself took the role of Counsel General.[16][17]
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