Part 2Welsh Assembly Government
Ministers, staff etc.
46The First Minister
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 an Assembly member.
6
A person may not be designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister unless the person is—
a
an Assembly member, or
b
if the Assembly has been dissolved, a person who ceased to be an Assembly member 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 Assembly is dissolved.