Mongolia’s political divisions widened this week after President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh vetoed parliament’s decision to dismiss Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar, declaring the vote invalid due to constitutional violations.
According to a statement from the president’s office, the parliamentary session that sought to remove the prime minister lacked a quorum when the vote was initiated. “These procedural flaws constitute a breach of the Constitution and undermine the rule of law,” the statement said, as reported by state media.
The Constitutional Court is expected to review the veto in the coming days.
The standoff underscores an ongoing power struggle within the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). Zandanshatar, who recently lost the party leadership election to Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, has faced criticism from within his own ranks. Amarbayasgalan resigned last week following corruption allegations, further deepening the crisis.
Zandanshatar’s government has also come under pressure over changes to the nation’s mineral taxation system. The revised policy links royalties to domestic stock prices rather than international market benchmarks — a move critics warn could reduce state revenues. Lawmakers have also accused the prime minister of bypassing parliamentary procedure by appointing a new justice minister without prior approval.
The current turmoil follows months of economic frustration and public concern over corruption, which earlier led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene in June.
President Khurelsukh returned from a state visit to India last week, where the two countries signed cooperation agreements covering energy, oil, and gas development.
