Mongolia PM faces likely confidence vote amid anti-corruption protests
The landlocked democracy in northern Asia has struggled with corruption for decades, and many in the country say a wealthy elite is hoarding the profits of a years-long coal mining boom at the expense of the general population.
Those tensions resurfaced last month after reports of allegedly lavish spending by the son of Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene sparked protests in the capital Ulaanbaatar.
Oyun-Erdene is due to address the State Great Khural -- the Mongolian parliament -- on Monday ahead of an expected "confidence vote" to decide whether the government he heads should continue, according to the prime minister's office.
It would mark the first time a Mongolian prime minister has submitted a confidence motion in their own government and raises the spectre of Oyun-Erdene's resignation if he loses.
Hundreds of young protesters crowded onto the square outside the parliament building on Monday morning, marching with white placards and chanting: "It is easy to resign."
Organiser Ulamsaikhan Otgon, 24, said the weeks of demonstrations "have showcased throughout that young people are very sensitive to unfairness" in society.
Yroolt, a 30-year-old content creator, said it was the second time he had attended.
"The reason I came is because I want a different life, a different society," he told an AFP reporter, declining to share his last name out of privacy concerns.
"We all know injustice is deeply embedded in our society but it's time for change."
Mongolia has been ruled by a three-way coalition government since elections last year resulted in a significantly reduced majority for Oyun-Erdene's Mongolian People's Party (MPP).
But the MPP evicted the second-largest group, the Democratic Party (DP), from the coalition agreement last month after some younger DP lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdene's resignation.
The move pushed the country's fractious political scene into further uncertainty.
Since Oyun-Erdene took power in 2021, Mongolia has plummeted in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.
The allegations against Oyun-Erdene's family have hit a nerve at a time when many in the country are also worried about their economic prospects and rising living costs.
The prime minister's office has denied allegations of impropriety -- describing them as a "smear" -- and warned of economic chaos if his government collapses.
Some counter-protesters -- overwhelmingly older than their pro-opposition counterparts -- also turned out to support the prime minister last month.
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France 24
a day ago
- France 24
Mongolia PM loses parliament confidence vote, resigns
The secret ballot followed days of protests in the capital Ulaanbaatar against alleged corruption. Speaking after the result of the vote was announced to parliament, Oyun-Erdene said: "It was an honour to serve my country and people in times of difficulties, including pandemics, wars, and tariffs." He will remain as caretaker prime minister until his successor is appointed within 30 days. Mongolia, a landlocked democracy in northern Asia, has battled deep-seated corruption for decades. Many in the country believe that wealthy elites are hoarding the profits of a years-long coal mining boom at the expense of the general population. Since Oyun-Erdene took power in 2021, Mongolia has plummeted in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. The country has seen frequent protests and unrest, and hundreds of young people turned out in Ulaanbaatar last week calling for his resignation. Fuelling public outrage are accusations that members of the prime minister's family are enjoying lavish lifestyles far beyond what a civil servant on the public dime could afford. In a statement to AFP last month, the prime minister's office said it "vehemently" denied the allegations, describing them as a "smear". Concerns over the economy and rising living costs have also stoked the unrest. Some counter-protesters -- overwhelmingly older than their pro-opposition counterparts -- also turned out to support the prime minister. Secret ballot Mongolia has been ruled by a three-way coalition government since elections last year resulted in a significantly reduced majority for Oyun-Erdene's Mongolian People's Party (MPP). But the MPP evicted the second-largest member, the Democratic Party (DP), from the coalition last month after some younger DP lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdene's resignation. The move pushed the country's political scene into further uncertainty. Some 82 lawmakers participated in the secret ballot, with 44 voting for retaining confidence in Oyun-Erdene, and 38 against. The ballot did not reach the 64-vote threshold required from the 126-seat parliament, prompting Oyun-Erdene to stand down. On Monday, hundreds of young protesters crowded onto the square outside the parliament building, marching with white placards and chanting: "It is easy to resign." Organiser Ulamsaikhan Otgon, 24, said the weeks of demonstrations "have showcased throughout that young people are very sensitive to unfairness" in society. Yroolt, a 30-year-old content creator, said it was the second demonstration he had attended. "The reason I came is because I want a different life, a different society," he told an AFP reporter, declining to share his last name out of privacy concerns. © 2025 AFP
LeMonde
a day ago
- LeMonde
Mongolia's prime minister resigns after losing a vote of confidence in parliament following protests
Mongolia 's prime minister resigned early on Tuesday, June 3, after he failed to receive enough support in a vote of confidence in parliament, Mongolian media reported. The country's embassy in Washington confirmed it. Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai received 44 votes, well short of the 64 needed, according to news site The vote followed weeks of protests sparked by reports of lavish spending by the prime minister's son. Some called for the prime minister to step down. Before the vote, Oyun-Erdene warned that the vote could lead to instability and shake Mongolia's fledgling democracy. "If governance becomes unstable, the economic situation deteriorates, and political parties cannot come to consensus. It could lead the public to lose faith in parliamentary rule and potentially put our democratic parliamentary system at risk of collapse," he said. He defended his integrity but acknowledged a mistake: "dedicating too much time to major projects while paying insufficient attention to social and internal political matters." Oyun-Erdene had held the post for four years and survived previous calls to step down. Last year, parliament was enlarged from 76 seats to 126 following electoral reforms. It resulted in a coalition government . Landlocked between Russia and China, Mongolia has struggled to become more democratic after its party-state era. A communist state during the Cold War, it has been transforming into a democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Protesters have said the country's mineral riches have benefited business interests and the wealthy, while many Mongolians still live in poverty. "It's very difficult to build that foundation for democracy" at a time that Mongolia also must tackle economic problems, which are a major source of people's frustration, said Erin Murphy, deputy director and senior fellow of India and emerging Asian economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "We still have to see what happens next and how the new government plans to tackle these issues," she said. While democracy has yet to thrive in Mongolia, "it is taking root," Murphy said.
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Mongolia PM faces likely confidence vote amid anti-corruption protests
The landlocked democracy in northern Asia has struggled with corruption for decades, and many in the country say a wealthy elite is hoarding the profits of a years-long coal mining boom at the expense of the general population. Those tensions resurfaced last month after reports of allegedly lavish spending by the son of Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene sparked protests in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Oyun-Erdene is due to address the State Great Khural -- the Mongolian parliament -- on Monday ahead of an expected "confidence vote" to decide whether the government he heads should continue, according to the prime minister's office. It would mark the first time a Mongolian prime minister has submitted a confidence motion in their own government and raises the spectre of Oyun-Erdene's resignation if he loses. Hundreds of young protesters crowded onto the square outside the parliament building on Monday morning, marching with white placards and chanting: "It is easy to resign." Organiser Ulamsaikhan Otgon, 24, said the weeks of demonstrations "have showcased throughout that young people are very sensitive to unfairness" in society. Yroolt, a 30-year-old content creator, said it was the second time he had attended. "The reason I came is because I want a different life, a different society," he told an AFP reporter, declining to share his last name out of privacy concerns. "We all know injustice is deeply embedded in our society but it's time for change." Mongolia has been ruled by a three-way coalition government since elections last year resulted in a significantly reduced majority for Oyun-Erdene's Mongolian People's Party (MPP). But the MPP evicted the second-largest group, the Democratic Party (DP), from the coalition agreement last month after some younger DP lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdene's resignation. The move pushed the country's fractious political scene into further uncertainty. Since Oyun-Erdene took power in 2021, Mongolia has plummeted in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. The allegations against Oyun-Erdene's family have hit a nerve at a time when many in the country are also worried about their economic prospects and rising living costs. The prime minister's office has denied allegations of impropriety -- describing them as a "smear" -- and warned of economic chaos if his government collapses. Some counter-protesters -- overwhelmingly older than their pro-opposition counterparts -- also turned out to support the prime minister last month.
