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AMs to appoint new assembly presiding officer Welsh Assembly presiding officer to be elected by AMs
(35 minutes later)
AMs will vote to appoint a new presiding officer when they meet in the Senedd on Wednesday. Welsh Assembly members will vote for a new presiding officer when they meet in the Senedd on Wednesday.
Several names from across the political spectrum have been suggested, although it is not yet clear if any of them have secured the support needed to win. Several names from across the parties have been suggested, although it is not yet clear if any of them have secured the support needed to win.
The vote comes after former presiding officer Dame Rosemary Butler stood down as an AM.The vote comes after former presiding officer Dame Rosemary Butler stood down as an AM.
Carwyn Jones is also expected to be reinstated as first minister at the meeting - the first of the new term. Carwyn Jones is also expected to be reinstated as first minister at the meeting, the first of the new term.
Labour is likely to form a minority government after the party lost a seat at the assembly election.Labour is likely to form a minority government after the party lost a seat at the assembly election.
AMs will also appoint a colleague as deputy presiding officer, a position formerly held by David Melding, who has ruled himself out for the presiding officer job. In a secret ballot, as well as presiding officer, AMs will also appoint a colleague as deputy presiding officer, a position formerly held by Conservative AM David Melding, who has ruled himself out for the presiding officer job.
Who is in the frame?Who is in the frame?
Tory Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies and Elin Jones, the Plaid Cymru Ceredigion AM, are understood to be considering the role of presiding officer.Tory Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies and Elin Jones, the Plaid Cymru Ceredigion AM, are understood to be considering the role of presiding officer.
Newport East AM Labour John Griffiths said he was interested in being either the presiding officer or deputy.Newport East AM Labour John Griffiths said he was interested in being either the presiding officer or deputy.
There has also been speculation over whether Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Plaid AM for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and Labour Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt would make their own bids for the top job.There has also been speculation over whether Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Plaid AM for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and Labour Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt would make their own bids for the top job.
Lord Elis-Thomas served as the first presiding officer from 1999 to 2011.Lord Elis-Thomas served as the first presiding officer from 1999 to 2011.
Meanwhile, Conservative Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay suggested on Facebook that he may put himself forward for presiding officer if he did not approve of the candidates proposed. Meanwhile, Conservative Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay said he would allow his name to go forward for the position of deputy presiding officer.
Earlier he suggested on Facebook that he may put himself forward for presiding officer if he did not approve of the candidates proposed.
He said: "Personally, I'm looking for a candidate with independent thought who will bring greater transparency to the institution and enhance the independence of all-important committee chairs, such a weakness in the previous assembly."He said: "Personally, I'm looking for a candidate with independent thought who will bring greater transparency to the institution and enhance the independence of all-important committee chairs, such a weakness in the previous assembly."
The assembly cannot elect a presiding officer and deputy presiding officer from the same political group and one must be from the governing party. Ann Jones, Labour AM for Vale of Clwyd, is understood to be considering both posts.
AMs will vote in a secret ballot. The assembly cannot elect a presiding officer and deputy presiding officer from the same political group, and one must be from the governing party.
The presiding officer acts as the figurehead of the National Assembly for Wales, chairing meetings in the Senedd chamber that are known as plenary.The presiding officer acts as the figurehead of the National Assembly for Wales, chairing meetings in the Senedd chamber that are known as plenary.
Dame Rosemary, former Labour AM for Newport West, said it had been an "absolute privilege to do the job".Dame Rosemary, former Labour AM for Newport West, said it had been an "absolute privilege to do the job".
"The point is you're there as a figurehead to make sure the assembly runs for the benefit of the members and people of Wales"The point is you're there as a figurehead to make sure the assembly runs for the benefit of the members and people of Wales
"There's a lot of passion in the chamber and you have to make sure people don't go overboard or don't insult somebody else."There's a lot of passion in the chamber and you have to make sure people don't go overboard or don't insult somebody else.
"The main thing is to make sure that backbenchers do have the opportunity to speak - both the opposition parties and the government party - because that is their place to represent the people of Wales.""The main thing is to make sure that backbenchers do have the opportunity to speak - both the opposition parties and the government party - because that is their place to represent the people of Wales."
She said her successor should "enjoy it".She said her successor should "enjoy it".