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German bows out as Lib Dem leader Race open for new Lib Dem leader
(about 6 hours later)
The Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Mike German is to step down at his party's autumn conference later. Nominations have opened in the race to become the next leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
Mr German, 63, who was a former deputy first minister, has been at the helm of his party in Cardiff Bay since the assembly was set up in 1999. Outgoing leader Mike German gave a farewell speech to the party's autumn conference at Clydach, near Swansea.
He has also been leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats for the last year. Afterwards, Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson declared she would stand for the role joining Kirsty Williams, the Brecon and Radnorshire AM.
Mr German will warn there is a danger of the Welsh Assembly being left behind by the devolution movement in his speech at Clydach, near Swansea Mr German, 63, a former deputy first minister, has led the party in Cardiff Bay since 1999 when the assembly began.
He will warn that while Wales is grappling with the question of law-making powers, Scotland is racing ahead by pushing for more financial autonomy. He has also been leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats for the last year but he will officially stand down in December when his successor is elected.
Ahead of the speech, aides said Mr German will declare unionism "dead" and say that in the future the devolution debate will be between supporters of a federal Britain and independence. In his speech at the event in Clydach near Swansea, Mr German warned there was a danger of the Welsh Assembly being left behind by the devolution movement.
Keep out Constitution
Party activists will discuss a long list of amendments to the party's constitution at the two-day conference. He warned that while Wales was grappling with the question of law-making powers, Scotland was racing ahead by pushing for more financial autonomy.
These include changes to the way candidates to succeed Mr German, who has vowed to keep out of the contest for next leader, are nominated. Mr German claimed the union was "dead" and Wales faced a choice between federalism and independence.
AM Jenny Randerson immediately announced her intention to stand for leader following Mr German's speech, while Ms Williams launched her leadership campaign last month.
Party activists are discussing a long list of amendments to the party's constitution at the two-day conference.
These include changes to the way candidates to succeed Mr German are nominated.
Jenny Randerson is joining fellow AM Kirsty Williams in the race
Mr German maintains he was always determined to stand down at this time.Mr German maintains he was always determined to stand down at this time.
But the prominent Lib Dem assembly member Peter Black had called for him to stand down much earlier.Formerly a music teacher, Mr German was councillor and leader of the Liberal Democrats on Cardiff city council from 1983 to 1996. But the prominent Lib Dem assembly member Peter Black had called for him to stand down much earlier.
Formerly a music teacher, Mr German was councillor and leader of the Liberal Democrats on Cardiff city council from 1983 to 1996.
He was deputy first minister from 2000-01 during the Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition and again in 2002-03.He was deputy first minister from 2000-01 during the Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition and again in 2002-03.
He stood down between these dates during controversy over his role as head of the European unit of the Welsh examinations board, the WJEC.He stood down between these dates during controversy over his role as head of the European unit of the Welsh examinations board, the WJEC.
'Fresh mandate''Fresh mandate'
Immediately after the assembly elections in May 2007, Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black called for Mr German to go.Immediately after the assembly elections in May 2007, Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black called for Mr German to go.
He said the party needed a leader with a "fresh mandate".He said the party needed a leader with a "fresh mandate".
From November 2007, Mr German became leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, after MP Lembit Opik stood down to concentrate on his bid to become Liberal Democrat president.From November 2007, Mr German became leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, after MP Lembit Opik stood down to concentrate on his bid to become Liberal Democrat president.
Mr German's political interests include skills development in Welsh companies, constitutional affairs and local government.Mr German's political interests include skills development in Welsh companies, constitutional affairs and local government.
He wants to spend more time engaged in boosting links between Wales and Lesotho in the Dolen Cymru project.He wants to spend more time engaged in boosting links between Wales and Lesotho in the Dolen Cymru project.
Fellow assembly member Kirsty Williams has already declared her candidacy for the job and is supported by Peter Black.
Two colleagues in Cardiff Bay, Jenny Randerson and Eleanor Burnham, are deciding whether to stand against Ms Williams.