Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has said he plans to form a stable minority government in the Senedd, seeking cooperation from all opposition parties after his party's historic victory in the Caerphilly election.
Ap Iorwerth said his administration would press the UK government for extra powers over policy areas such as policing and justice, and focus on results rather than political rows with Westminster.
Asked if the win meant Wales had taken a step closer to independence, he said a 'more confident' Wales felt closer, adding that the people of Wales had said they believe in Plaid's belief in the nation.
Plaid took 43 of 96 Senedd seats, comfortably ahead of Reform UK on 34 and Labour on nine. The Green party leader in Wales said they would back ap Iorwerth's bid to become first minister, while the sole Liberal Democrat said she would abstain.
Ap Iorwerth said priorities include improving the health service, raising education standards, creating jobs, and rolling out a generous childcare offer. He said he would be 'relentless whilst constructive' in dealing with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and would ask for more powers over justice and policing, devolution of the crown estate, and fairer funding.
