Could there be a snap Senedd election?

Vaughan Gething quit as Wales' first minister on Tuesday following a number of cabinet resignations

Vaughan Gething announced his resignation as Wales' first minister on Tuesday after four members of his government quit and demanded he left office.

His time in Wales' top job has been marred by a series of rows over donations to his leadership campaign and the sacking of a minister.

With the dust barely settled, questions now turn to who will replace Mr Gething and what that process could look like.

Mr Gething has said he intends to stay in the post until his successor is announced in the autumn. But there are other scenarios for how things might play out.

1. A coronation

In theory, Welsh Labour could gather around one single person to become the next first minister.

This single nominee would still face a vote in the Senedd to formally become first minister, but could avoid a formal Welsh Labour leadership race.

This has happened before. In 2000, when Alun Michael resigned as first secretary of Wales, Rhodri Morgan became Labour's single nominee to replace him and stepped into the role without a leadership race.

Rhodri Morgan, pictured in 2000 with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, remained the leader of Welsh Labour until 2009

The most likely candidate to replace Mr Gething in this way would be Jeremy Miles, who came a close second in the spring leadership race.

But the current divisions within Welsh Labour makes it potentially difficult for the Senedd's Labour members to throw their weight around one single candidate this time.

2. Interim leader

Some within Welsh Labour believe Mr Gething has lost his authority and should not continue in the post until a new leader is chosen.

There is talk about appointing an interim leader, with veteran Member of the Senedd and chief whip Jane Hutt suggested as a potential stand-in.

Jane Hutt (left) is considered to be a safe pair of hands who could steady the ship as Welsh Labour's interim leader

Ms Hutt is considered a safe pair of hands - someone who could steady the ship until a new leader is formally chosen.

Talk of appointing an interim are a sign of the bad blood within Welsh Labour at the moment - some in the party cannot fathom the idea of Mr Gething remaining as first minister until the autumn.

3. Contest over the summer

Another, probably more likely scenario, is that Mr Gething does what he has said he intends to do and stays on until the autumn, during which time a formal leadership contest involving a number of Welsh Labour candidates takes place.

Welsh Labour's executive committee is due to meet on Saturday to determine the party's next steps and outline a timeline of events.

You can read more about the possible candidates to replace Mr Gething here.

4. Early Senedd election

Almost as soon as Mr Gething announced his resignation, Plaid Cymru came out calling for an early Senedd election.

Plaid said it was not fair that people in Wales would get a third first minister in a matter of months and said the public should get a say.

But it's difficult to see how it would come about with Welsh Labour and the Welsh Conservatives not in support.

Senior Conservative Andrew RT Davies said calls for a snap Senedd election were "hot-headed"

In theory, opposition parties could force an early Senedd election by refusing to appoint Welsh Labour's chosen new leader as first minister via a Senedd vote.

Two-thirds of the Senedd voting could also favour of an early election.

It is unclear to see how either happens right now.

It is worth noting that if there were a snap Senedd election in 2024, legislation dictates that there would still need to be another in 2026.