Mongolian lawmakers voted to remove the Prime Minister and Parliament speaker yesterday, throwing the resource-rich nation into renewed political turmoil. Mr Zandanshatar Gombojav stepped down as Prime Minister after losing the confidence vote just four months after taking office. The motion to remove him was submitted by over 50 lawmakers, who cited constitutional violations and concerns over governance.

 

 

The immediate trigger was Mr Zandanshatar’s controversial appointment of a new Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, which sparked political backlash. The 55-year-old was confirmed as the country’s 32nd Prime Minister in June after his predecessor, Mr L. Oyun-Erdene, quit, also after losing parliamentary backing, due to corruption claims and street protests.  

 

 

Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is expected to nominate the next Prime Minister, who would require the approval of the State Great Khural, or Parliament.

 

 

Mr Zandanshatar’s dismissal came a day after parliamentary speaker Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve offered to resign. Lawmakers voted to accept his resignation yesterday. The ruling Mongolian People’s Party, of which Mr Zandanshatar and Mr Amarbayasgalan are both members, had called for a probe into Mr Amarbayasgalan.

 

 

Mongolian politics has been rocked by waves of volatility in recent years amid public anger over corruption and a weak domestic economy.