Mongolia’s prime minister ousted in ruling party power struggle
His dramatic removal after only four months came amid a national budget crisis, widespread strikes and counteraccusations of corruption
Opponents of Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav managed to pass a controversially worded resolution on Friday that effectively dismissed him from office.
The parliament was also debating a request to resign from its chair, Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, the prime minister’s chief rival in the internal party struggle.
It was not immediately clear who might succeed Zandanshatar, who is acting prime minister until a successor is named, or whether he would challenge his dismissal. He was named prime minister in June.
The political upheaval comes at a critical time because the budget for next year has yet to be passed. Teachers, who are demanding salary increases in the budget, went on strike this week and medical doctors are threatening to do so too.
The ruling party feud began after Zandanshatar lost a party leadership election to Amarbayasgalan.
The prime minister’s supporters then accused the speaker of being involved in corruption in the coal mining industry and a government investigation was launched.