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Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones says he wants a "constructive relationship" with the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat UK government.Mr Jones said his main aim, with the confirmation of David Cameron as prime minister, was that "the priorities of the people of Wales come first".
The leader of the Welsh Assembly Government said he wanted an early meeting with the new premier.
Plaid Cymru accused Labour of "handing government of the UK" to the Tories.
Mr Jones could now be said to be Labour's senior governing politician, as the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Mr Cameron's arrival in Downing Street means that the two parties in coalition in the assembly government - Labour and Plaid - will have to work with a UK government run by two different parties.
Mr Jones has sent his congratulations to Mr Cameron and said he looked forward to a "businesslike relationship with the new UK government".
In a statement, Mr Jones said: "It is my intention to have a constructive working relationship with the new Tory/Lib Dem government.
"As first minister, it is my job to lead Wales and make the case for Wales - irrespective of who resides in No 10 Downing Street - and that is what I will continue to do.
"My prime consideration from this moment on will be to ensure that the priorities of the people of Wales come first - economically, socially and constitutionally.
'Seek assurances'
"As a consequence, I will be seeking an early meeting with the new prime minister to seek his assurances on such issues."
Mr Jones, who took over as first minister last December, himself heads a coalition Labour-Plaid Cymru government in the Welsh assembly.
Peter Hain has lost his post of Welsh secretary and there was no indication on Tuesday night who will replace him in Mr Cameron's cabinet. However, Cheryl Gillan has been the Conservative shadow Welsh secretary.
Mr Hain had advocated a Labour-Lib Dem coalition with the support of minor parties before that prospect collapsed.
Mr Hain said that while Lib Dems were "fully entitled to link up with the Tories, I am sorry that they rejected the opportunity for a progressive coalition government to fundamentally change British politics".
He said: "We will be taking our role as the opposition very seriously, and holding the Conservatives and Lib Dems to account if they fail to deliver what the country needs and working with them where there is common ground."
He also warned that Labour "will be using every opportunity to try to prevent Conservative plans for savage and early cuts in public sector jobs and services".
Plaid had hoped to play a role in a hung parliament, but that disappeared with the formation of the Tory-Lib Dem deal.
Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid's Westminster leader, claimed that "London Labour had collapsed under pressure" and said a Tory government would "do its worst" to the Welsh economy.
"This is a significant and worrying moment for us in Wales," said Mr Llwyd.
'Disastrous effects'
"The Conservative Party has outlined its plans which will have disastrous effects on the Welsh economy - including further 'in year' cuts in addition to those already proposed.
"We haven't heard anything from their new political allies, the Lib Dems, to suggest that protecting jobs and public services in Wales from disproportionate cuts is a red line during their talks with the Tories.
"In fact all the indications are that the £6bn additional spending cuts promised by the Tories will go ahead which could lead to up to £300 million additional cuts to the Welsh budget this year."This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.