Mongolia’s Prime Minister, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, has stepped down after losing a confidence vote in parliament. This decision comes on the heels of widespread protests fueled by allegations of corruption, particularly surrounding his family’s extravagant lifestyle.
The vote took place after two weeks of protests, where hundreds of citizens, especially young people, demanded his resignation. They were particularly upset about social media posts highlighting his son’s lavish birthday party and engagement celebrations. Oyun-Erdene, who has been in office since 2021, will serve as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is chosen within the next month.
In the secret ballot, Oyun-Erdene received 44 votes in favor and 38 against, falling short of the 64 votes needed for a majority in the 126-seat parliament. After the vote, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve during challenging times, including the pandemic and economic issues.
The protests were sparked by concerns over the source of wealth that supports Oyun-Erdene’s family, with many citizens sharing details of his son’s expensive lifestyle on social media. Oyun-Erdene has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the allegations against him are part of a smear campaign.
Corruption has been a growing concern in Mongolia. According to Transparency International, the country has seen a decline in government transparency since Oyun-Erdene took office, ranking 114th out of 180 countries last year. This issue is not new; previous leaders have faced similar accusations, including former Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold, who is currently under investigation for allegedly using stolen mining funds to purchase properties in New York.
Mongolia, a nation situated between Russia and China, has been working to strengthen its ties with Western countries as part of its foreign policy strategy. However, the ongoing corruption issues pose significant challenges to its democratic transition since the end of Soviet influence in the early 1990s.