Prime Minister's reaction to the dismissal of his Government

Prime Minister Ts. Elbegdorj’s Government was dismissed by the Parliament of Mongolia just after midnight on January 14, 2006. With members of the Democratic Coalition abstaining from the vote, all 39 members present voted in favour of the resolution to dismiss the government.
Mr. Elbegdorj’s angry reaction to his dismissal:

This was the first time in Mongolia’s history that we established a coalition government. This Government showed that the Mongolians are capable of working together. Just as there were problems in working with such a Government, there were also advantages. I do not accept the foundations for the dismissal of this Government. Doing so would mean refuting everything that we have accomplished during this period [in power]. I have seen the secrets of this State and I have seen it all. I will return to power. But I will not return alone. . . .

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technorati: mongolia

The Political Crisis in Mongolia Continues...

The political crisis in Mongolia continues, with the Parliament of Mongolia holding an all-day plenary session on Friday, January 13 to discuss the recent mass resignation of ministers from the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP).
Ten MPRP Ministers resigned on Wednesday, alleging that the existing government had demonstrated incompetence in reducing poverty and accelerating economic growth.
The MPRP had formed a grand coalition government with their Democratic-Motherland Coalition rivals following protracted negotiations in 2004.

The Prime Minister of Mongolia, Ts. Elbegdorj (Democratic Party), expressed harsh criticism of the mass resignation, yet asserted that Mongolia had fully embraced democracy in the past 16 years, stating that he was confident the political crisis could be resolved by peaceful means. In a meeting with reporters he declared that there was no risk of the situation escalating into unrest similar to that experienced during last year’s "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine.

According to article 43.2 of the Constitution of Mongolia, the Government must step down in its entirety upon the resignation of the Prime Minister or if half of the members of the Government resign at the same time. The decision to dissolve the Government must be made by the Parliament within 15 days of receiving notice of such a resignation.

The President of Mongolia, N. Enkhbayar, told Parliament that "it is clear that Mongolia must not allow a single day to pass without a legally-constituted Government", and urged the Parliament to seek an urgent resolution to this crisis.
It remains unclear whether the recent withdrawal of the MPRP from the Government will lead to fresh elections.

Meanwhile demonstrations by MPRP supporters continued on Friday in Sukhbaatar Square outside the parliament building, following upon a protest rally the day before in which the MPRP building had been briefly occupied by demonstrators.
Mongolia’s television media have offered biased coverage of the crisis, with approximately 80% of those polled by Eagle-TV expressing criticism of the resignation, and 100% of those polled by TV5 and TV9 demonstrating their support of the MPRP ministers’ decision.

The cabinet ministers who have tendered their resignations are:

• Deputy Prime Minister Ch.Ulaan,
• Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, S.Batbold
• Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ts.Monkh-Orgil
• Minister of Nature and Environment, U.Barsbold
• Minister of Defense, Ts.Sharavdorj
• Minister of Fuel and Energy, T.Ochirkhuu
• Minister of Industry and Trade, Su.Batbold
• Minister of Food and Agriculture, D.Terbishdagva
• Minister of Health, T.Gandi, and
• Minister of Emergencies, U.Khurelsukh

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technorati: mongolia, politics

Government Crisis

Mongolia Web reports on one protest organization running from one protest to the other.

And it seemed for sometime they might actually be successful: the MPRP seems to reconsider continuing the government with the democratic parties, it is questionable whether there is still enough trust within the grand coalition to continue.

But by now it is clear the government will dissolve.



Meanwhile the news has even reached Ghana, while Tom Terry reports from Eagle TV, a good news channel but with a hidden Christian mission.

Nathan at Registan is as always ready with a good overview


UPDATE 1: Yahoo News has interesting quotes:

"It's highly likely the government will be ousted," Sanjaasuren Oyun, the leader of the minority Civil Will Party and a member of parliament, told AFP. "The MPRP has enough votes."

But with most MPs wanting to express their opinions during Friday's debate, a vote may not occur until late Friday night or next week, Oyun said.

The move by the MPRP is a bid to regain total control of the government, Oyun and political observers said.

UPDATE 2:
The situation was exept on CNN, just now covered on BBC world as well.

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technorati: mongolia

Mongolian party building occupied

The MPRP (Mongolian People's Revolutionairy Party) building has been occupied by protesters. While some international press speak of opposition and ruling party, but it is actually two parties of the same coaltion that are in conflict. As mentioned below the MPRP tried to leave the coalition yesterday, which led to the current protests.

People in the street seem to be upset with the current situation. "Politicians seem to live in the heavens and don't care about the people down on earth" according to a young teacher Mongolian, possibly refering to the Ikh Tenger (Big Heaven) complex with the state residencies.

AP reports on the MPRP pull out:

In comments also broadcast on television, Elbegdorj responded, "I don't think these reasons are enough to dismiss the government."

The MPRP said it would try to form its own government but didn't say who might join. The party has 38 of 76 seats in Mongolia's parliament, the Great Hural, short of the 39 required to take power.

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technorati: mongolia

Mongolian coalition cabinet falls

The MPRP ministers in the cabinet have offered their resignation.

UPDATE 1
From the communist Indian State of Kerela the first report comes in:

''This is not coming out of the blue,'' Tjalling Halbertsma, adviser to the office of Mongolia's president, told Reuters.

China follows:

"The government has no legal foundation or capacity to exist. A political vacuum has been created in Mongolia," the MPRP said in the statement.

For even more entertainment a new lottery will be launched.

UPDATE 2
Demonstrations are announced for today on Sukhbaatar square.

UPDATE 3
Mongolia Web reports on the Minister resignation and the MPRP press conference.

UPDATE 4
People have gathered around the MPRP building to demonstrate against the current political developments. The army has been called in to control the crowd.


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technorati: mongolia