Mongolia's Political Scene: Mongolian Prime Minister Resigns After Months of Internal Political Turmoil
Mongolian Prime Minister Gonbold Zandsalmaa announced his resignation, warning that "the world is entering a critical geopolitical era."
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolian News Agency — Mongolian Prime Minister Gonbold Zandsalmaa announced his resignation on Friday, March 27. He stated that the timing of his resignation coincided with a "challenging period," following months of political instability in Mongolia.
Zandsalmaa’s cabinet had been in power for approximately nine months. He emphasized that this resignation was voluntary and expected to be succeeded by Naimagiin Uchirgerel, Chairman of the State Great Khural.
This move may further destabilize Mongolia’s political landscape. In recent weeks, Mongolian politics has been plagued by internal conflicts and boycotts of parliamentary sessions by the opposition Democratic Party.
Earlier this month, the Democratic Party launched a parliamentary boycott, citing concerns over excessive concentration of power within the ruling party. For months, allegations of corruption have surrounded Zandsalmaa’s close ally, Minister of Justice Enkhbayar Bat-Üül, though he himself has not faced formal charges.
Since the opening of the parliamentary spring session on March 16, opposition lawmakers have refused to attend hearings in protest against Uchirgerel.
The Democratic Party demands Uchirgerel’s resignation, accusing him of corruption, and arguing that leaders of the ruling party should not simultaneously preside over parliament.
The boycott has disrupted parliamentary procedures and limited legislative activities.
Last October, Mongolia’s Constitutional Court rejected a parliamentary motion to remove Zandsalmaa, when he had only been in office for four months.
The ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) also faces escalating internal divisions, broadly split into two factions loyal to President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and former Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene.
In his resignation letter to parliament, Zandsalmaa said: "The world is entering a critical geopolitical era."
"Ongoing conflicts are driving up oil prices, inevitably increasing commodity costs. At such a challenging moment, to avoid wasting even a single second, I have set aside my personal and political interests and voluntarily stepped down."
Parliament now has 30 days to appoint a new prime minister.
According to MPP leadership, the party expects to nominate a successor at an upcoming party congress, although the exact date remains undetermined.
Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene resigned in 2025 after failing a vote of no confidence in parliament.
This turmoil could heighten concerns among foreign investors, who have long been wary of Mongolia’s political instability and short tenures of past governments.
Mongolia heavily relies on mineral exports to neighboring countries and has long struggled with shifting regulatory policies and corruption issues.
Sources: Combined reports from AP and ChannelNewsAsia
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860872942043136/
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