Europe’s first black head of government resigns

Welsh regional government minister Waun Hething, who became the first black head of a European government, announced his resignation on July 16 after a series of scandals and ministerial sackings. He announced it on X (Twitter).

He said he had made the “difficult decision to begin resignation proceedings” as leader of the Welsh Government and leader of the Labor Party in Wales.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to show underrepresented communities that there is a place for them, for us, in Wales. I will now discuss the timetable for electing a new leader for my party,” Hetting said .

Exactly four months ago, the First Minister of Wales made history by becoming the first black head of government in a European country. However, he has come under fire, particularly over a controversial £200,000 donation from a company convicted of environmental crimes and the release of an official accused of leaking internal communications.

Against this background, the Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru abandoned the coalition with Labor, and the Hething government last month lost a vote of no confidence, however, with no legal consequences.

The Welsh Labor leader announced his resignation on the same day that four ministers quit the Welsh government in protest, including Economy Secretary Jeremy Miles, who competed with Hething for the party leadership from the start. of the year.

We remind you that the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaia Kallas has submitted her resignation to President Alar Karis.

Earlier, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced that he would resign. He made this decision after the announcement of the exit poll results of the second round of the parliamentary elections.