After a Senedd election, things don’t stop at the ballot box. It’s just the start of a flurry of activity known as “early business” to get the Senedd up and running for a new term.
Let’s take a look at what happens first.
Votes are counted
Votes in the 2026 Senedd election will be counted during the day on Friday 8 May (the day after the election).
As counts are managed locally, the results for each area will be announced at different times.
Election results will be published on the Senedd website once they are available.
All Members take the oath
In the days immediately after the election, all elected Members will take the oath of allegiance to the monarch (or corresponding affirmation).
Members of the Senedd meet for the first time
The first Plenary meeting of all Members of the Senedd must take place within 14 days of the election (by 28 May 2026).
The date and time will be decided by the current Presiding Officer (also called the Llywydd, who remains in the role until a new Presiding Officer is elected) in consultation with political groups. It is usually held in the first week following the election. The earliest day it could take place is Tuesday 12 May 2026.
A new Presiding Officer (Llywydd) is appointed
During the first Plenary meeting the Senedd must elect a Presiding Officer (Llywydd) and Deputy Presiding Officer.
The role of Presiding Officer is similar to the Speaker of the House of Commons and other presiding officers in parliaments around the world. They chair Plenary meetings, keep order and remain politically impartial at all times.
The First Minister is chosen
Members must choose a First Minister to lead the Welsh Government within 28 days of a Senedd election (by 3 June 2026).
One of the first tasks for the new Presiding Officer will be to oversee the nomination process, which usually happens in the first Plenary meeting after the election.
Once appointed, the First Minister will select Cabinet Secretaries and Welsh Ministers to form the Welsh Government.
They may also seek the Senedd’s agreement to appoint a Counsel General. The Counsel General is the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser but does not have to be a Member of the Senedd.
Find out more: How is the First Minister of Wales chosen?
The Welsh Government is formed
Usually, the party that wins the most seats in a Senedd election will form the Welsh Government.
If no party wins a majority, then two or more parties may decide to work together or form a coalition government. This is likely to happen if no party wins more than half the seats.
If there is no clear majority, discussions between parties may take some time after the election until they reach an agreement.
The Business Committee is created
When the Presiding Officer and Welsh Government are in place, the first committee to be set up is the Business Committee. It’s usually made up of Members from each of the Senedd’s political groups, and is chaired by the Presiding Officer.
The Business Committee’s role is slightly different to other Senedd committees. It decides how Senedd business should be organised, such as Plenary debates and First Minister’s Questions (FMQs).
One of the first tasks for the Committee will be to look at new timetabling options for the next term - when and how often Members will meet for Plenary and committee work.
Committees are formed
Once the Business Committee is in place it will propose committees for the new Senedd. The new committees will be agreed by Members during Plenary.
Committees are small groups of Members of the Senedd from different political parties who look at specific topics or issues that affect the lives of people in Wales. They check the Welsh Government’s work, look at laws, and gather evidence to suggest improvements.
Find out more about what Senedd committees do
Senedd Commissioners are appointed
The Senedd Commission is responsible for the day to day running of the Senedd.
It is chaired by the Presiding Officer and includes four other Members chosen by the Senedd early in the term. Each Commissioner oversees specific areas, such as sustainability, communications, and budget.
Once all these things are in place, the work of the Senedd will start once more.
And finally … the official opening of the Senedd
A visit from the King, and often other members of the royal family, marks the official opening of the Senedd following an election.
