Section 46 The First MinisterI1
United Kingdom
The First Minister is to be appointed by Her Majesty after nomination in accordance with section 47.
The First Minister holds office at Her Majesty's pleasure.
The First Minister may at any time tender resignation to Her Majesty and ceases to hold office as First Minister when it is accepted.
A person ceases to hold office as the First Minister if another person is appointed to that office.
The functions of the First Minister are exercisable by a person designated by the Presiding Officer if—
the office of the First Minister is vacant,
the First Minister is for any reason unable to act, or
A person may not be designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister unless the person is—
a Member of the Senedd, or
if the F3Senedd has been dissolved, a person who ceased to be a Member of the Senedd by reason of the dissolution.
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).
If a person is designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister, the designation continues to have effect even if the Senedd is dissolved.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Words 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))
- F2
Words in s. 46(5)(c) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 5, 29(2)(a)
- F3
Words 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
- I1
Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))
Notes on Part 2
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))