Textual Amendments
F1Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))
(1)The First Minister is to be appointed by Her Majesty after nomination in accordance with section 47.
(2)The First Minister holds office at Her Majesty's pleasure.
(3)The First Minister may at any time tender resignation to Her Majesty and ceases to hold office as First Minister when it is accepted.
(4)A person ceases to hold office as the First Minister if another person is appointed to that office.
(5)The functions of the First Minister are exercisable by a person designated by the Presiding Officer if—
(a)the office of the First Minister is vacant,
(b)the First Minister is for any reason unable to act, or
(c)the First Minister has ceased to be [F2a Member of the Senedd] [F3otherwise than by reason of a dissolution].
(6)A person may not be designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister unless the person is—
(a)[F2a Member of the Senedd], or
(b)if the [F4Senedd] has been dissolved, a person who ceased to be [F2a Member of the Senedd] by reason of the dissolution.
(7)A person may be designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister only on the recommendation of the Welsh Ministers (unless there is no-one holding office as a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48).
(8)If a person is designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister, the designation continues to have effect even if the [F4Senedd] is dissolved.
Textual Amendments
F2Words in Act substituted (6.5.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(15) (with Sch. 1 para. 2(11)(12)(14))
F3Words in s. 46(5)(c) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 5, 29(2)(a)
F4Words in Act substituted (6.5.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(19) (with Sch. 1 para. 2(11)-(14))
Commencement Information
I1Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))