03.06.2025 21:30
After weeks of anti-government protests, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, who failed to secure enough votes in a confidence vote, has resigned. The public's reaction to Oyun-Erdene's son's luxury spending during a vacation with his girlfriend had ignited the protests that ultimately led to Oyun-Erdene's downfall.
It has been reported that Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, who did not receive enough votes in the confidence vote held in parliament after weeks of anti-government protests in Mongolia, has resigned.
According to news in the Mongolian national press, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene, who received the support of 44 deputies in the secret vote in parliament, could not reach the 64 votes required for a confidence vote.
In his speech in parliament before the vote, Oyun-Erdene rejected the protesters' corruption allegations, claiming that groups with visible and hidden interests were conducting an organized campaign to overthrow the government.
RESIGNED
Oyun-Erdene, who suggested that his departure from power would lead the country into political instability and economic chaos, stated, "If the administration becomes unstable, the economic situation deteriorates, and political parties cannot reach a consensus. This could lead to the public losing faith in the parliamentary system, bringing the democratic system to the brink of collapse." While defending his actions aimed at economic revival, Oyun-Erdene acknowledged that he had focused too much on large projects during his tenure and had not paid enough attention to social issues and domestic political matters.
Oyun-Erdene announced his resignation after failing to receive a confidence vote, saying, "I am honored to have served my country and my people during times of pandemics, wars, and difficult circumstances." Oyun-Erdene resigned due to his inability to secure a confidence vote.
HIS SON'S GIRLFRIEND'S LUXURY BRAND BAG LED TO HIS DOWNFALL
The public reaction to the luxury spending during Oyun-Erdene's son's vacation with his girlfriend ignited the protests that ultimately led to Oyun-Erdene's downfall. Photos shared on social media by his son's girlfriend, showing luxury brand bags and shopping packages, became a subject of criticism on social media.
Protesters accusing Oyun-Erdene of corruption, citing his family's excessive spending, had organized demonstrations in the capital Ulaanbaatar for weeks.
HE HAD BEEN PRESIDENT SINCE 2021
Oyun-Erdene, 44, a graduate of Harvard University, served as Chief Cabinet Secretary in the government of the Mongolian People's Party (NAM) led by Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh from 2019 to 2021.
Appointed as Prime Minister in 2021, Oyun-Erdene implemented a development program called "New Recovery Policy" as part of the Vision 2050 project.
The program aimed to ensure the country's economy transitions to long-term development by overcoming the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating growth potential by overcoming restrictions in customs, energy, industrialization, urban and rural development, green development, and state effectiveness.
As part of the New Recovery Policy, the Tavantolgoi-Zuunbayan Railway, the Zuunbayan-Hangi Railway connecting to the Hangi-Mandal Border Gate on the Chinese border, the satellite city project called New Settlement Area in Khushigt Valley, solar power plants in Uliastai and Altai were launched, and an agreement was announced for the construction of the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod Railway, which is expected to increase the country's coal exports by 30 million tons per year.
Oyun-Erdene was reappointed as Prime Minister after his party's third electoral victory in July 2024.