This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36256040

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Welsh Assembly chooses Elin Jones as presiding officer Welsh Assembly chooses Elin Jones as presiding officer
(35 minutes later)
Plaid Cymru's Elin Jones has been chosen by Welsh Assembly members as their new presiding officer.Plaid Cymru's Elin Jones has been chosen by Welsh Assembly members as their new presiding officer.
The Ceredigion AM beat party colleague Lord Elis-Thomas by 34 votes to 25, with Labour's John Griffiths and Ann Jones the contenders to be her deputy. The Ceredigion AM beat party colleague Lord Elis-Thomas by 34 votes to 25, with Labour's Ann Jones elected to be her deputy.
The vote came after former presiding officer Dame Rosemary Butler stood down from the assembly at the election.The vote came after former presiding officer Dame Rosemary Butler stood down from the assembly at the election.
Carwyn Jones is expected to be reinstated as first minister at the meeting, the first of the new term.Carwyn Jones is 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.
A Labour source said: "It was felt we came back with 29 seats, not 31.A Labour source said: "It was felt we came back with 29 seats, not 31.
"It would feel wrong to us, and a little presumptuous, to be both going for presiding officer and first minister.""It would feel wrong to us, and a little presumptuous, to be both going for presiding officer and first minister."
Following the secret ballot for presiding officer, AMs will also elect a colleague as deputy presiding officer. Ms Jones said it was "an honour and a privilege" to be elected presiding officer, telling AMs as she took the chair: "You all look very different from up here!"
Ann Jones won the election for deputy presiding officer, beating Labour colleague John Griffiths by 30 votes to 29.
That position was formerly held by Conservative AM David Melding, who has ruled himself out for the presiding officer job.That position was formerly held by Conservative AM David Melding, who has ruled himself out for the presiding officer job.
Two Labour AMs, John Griffiths and Ann Jones, will stand for the position of deputy presiding officer.
One of the two positions has to be filled by the governing party, and the other by an opposition 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.
The post is the second-highest paid job in the assembly, behind the first minister.The post is the second-highest paid job in the assembly, behind the first minister.
He or she receives a yearly salary of £105,000 - more than ministers, who earn £100,000, and more than opposition party leaders who can be paid up to £100,000.He or she receives a yearly salary of £105,000 - more than ministers, who earn £100,000, and more than opposition party leaders who can be paid up to £100,000.
The deputy presiding officer receives £85,000 a year.The deputy presiding officer receives £85,000 a year.
The first minister is paid £140,000.The first minister is paid £140,000.
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".