Mongolia: Mongolia’s Prime Minister, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, has stepped down after losing a crucial vote of confidence in parliament. His resignation follows weeks of protests and public outrage over corruption allegations.
The parliament held a secret ballot, with only 44 lawmakers supporting Oyun-Erdene. He required at least 64 votes in the 126-seat parliament to remain in office. A total of 82 members took part, with 38 voting against him.
Following the vote, Oyun-Erdene stated that, “It was an honour to serve my country and people in times of difficulties, including pandemics, wars, and tariffs.” He will serve as caretaker Prime Minister for up to 30 days while a new leader is appointed.
Public anger intensified after social media posts surfaced, showing his son’s lavish birthday party and engagement. Many young protesters filled the streets, demanding transparency and accountability. Oyun-Erdene has denied all corruption claims, calling them a smear campaign.
According to Transparency International, corruption in Mongolia has worsened since Oyun-Erdene took office in 2021. The country was ranked 114th out of 180 nations for government transparency last year.
Corruption continues to be a major issue in Mongolia. Last year, U.S. prosecutors sought to seize two New York apartments allegedly purchased with stolen mining funds by former Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold. Batbold, who served from 2012 to 2015, has denied any wrongdoing.
Mongolia, a former communist state situated between Russia and China, has been pursuing democratic reforms since the early 1990s. In recent years, it has aimed to strengthen relations with Western nations through its ‘third neighbour’ policy.
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