Former top diplomat takes over the helm in Mongolia
New Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar addresses parliament in Ulaanbaatar after being sworn in. Photo: AFP
Mongolian lawmakers on Friday confirmed former top diplomat Gombojav Zandanshatar as the country's new prime minister after his predecessor resigned following weeks of anti-corruption protests.
Thousands of young people have demonstrated in the capital Ulaanbaatar in recent weeks, venting frustration at wealthy elites and what they see as pervasive corruption and injustice.
They called for then-prime minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene to step down and got their wish when he announced his resignation last week.
Zandanshatar – also from Oyun-Erdene's ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) – was elected as his replacement in the early hours of Friday, with 108 out of 117 present voting in favour.
In a speech to lawmakers following his election, he stressed "the urgent need to stabilise the economy" and "improve the income and livelihood" of citizens, according to a readout from the parliament.
The 52-year-old has been a fixture on Mongolia's fractious political scene for around two decades and is seen as close to President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh.
He previously served as foreign minister and chief of staff to the president, as well as parliamentary speaker when the country passed key constitutional reforms in 2019.
Before its recent political crisis, Mongolia had been ruled by a three-way coalition government since elections last year resulted in a significantly reduced majority for Oyun-Erdene's MPP.
But last month, the MPP evicted its second-largest member, the Democratic Party, from the coalition after some of its younger lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdene's resignation.
That pushed Oyun-Erdene to call a confidence vote in his own government, which he lost after Democratic Party lawmakers walked out of the chamber during the ballot. (AFP)
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