Eluned Morgan will be Wales’ first female leader as she takes over a troubled governing party

LONDON (AP) - Wales is set to get its first female leader after Eluned Morgan was chosen Wednesday to lead the governing Welsh Labour Party as it tries to emerge from scandal and division.

Morgan succeeds First Minister Vaughan Gething, who stepped down last week as party leader amid acrimony and a campaign donation scandal.

Morgan, 57, is currently the Welsh health minister and was the only candidate to replace Gething. She was announced as the new party leader on Wednesday and will become first minister after a confirmation vote in Wales' parliament, the Senedd.

The quick change of leader avoids a leadership contest and enables Welsh Labour to project unity after the chaotic end of Gething's tenure.

Gething, the son of a Welsh father and a Zambian mother, made history in March when he was elected by Welsh lawmakers to head the Cardiff-based administration, becoming the first Black leader of a government in the U.K.

He faced criticism for accepting 200,000 pounds ($255,000) in donations during his leadership campaign from a recycling company whose owner had been found guilty of environmental offenses and breaching health and safety regulations. Another company with the same owner was given a loan by the government-owned Development Bank of Wales in 2023 when Gething was economy minister.

In June, Gething lost a nonbinding no-confidence vote in the Senedd, but said then that he would stay in his job.

He resigned last week after four members of his government quit in protest.

Wales, which has a population of about 3 million, is one of four parts of the United Kingdom, along with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The British government in London is responsible for defense, foreign affairs and other U.K.-wide issues, while administrations in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast control areas such as education and health.

Morgan, who is also a member of the House of Lords - the upper chamber of the U.K. Parliament - said she was "truly honored" to become the first woman to lead Welsh Labour.

"At this pivotal time for our country, strength, stability and unity will be my guiding principles," she said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who also represents the Labour Party, said Morgan's appointment was "fantastic news for Wales and the Labour Party.”

"Eluned brings with her a wealth of experience and track-record of delivery, and as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour, she is already making history," he said.