Mongolia’s Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has resigned after losing a parliamentary vote of confidence on Tuesday, marking a major shift in the country’s leadership amid growing public discontent and allegations of corruption.
The vote, conducted via secret ballot, saw 44 lawmakers support Oyun-Erdene while 38 voted against him. However, the tally fell short of the 64 votes required in the 126-seat parliament to maintain his position, leading to his resignation. He will remain in office as a caretaker prime minister until a new leader is appointed within 30 days.
Oyun-Erdene, who assumed office in 2021, said after the vote, “It was an honour to serve my country and people in times of difficulties, including pandemics, wars, and tariffs.” His tenure has been marred by rising living costs, economic uncertainty, and accusations of corruption within his administration.
Recent weeks saw mounting protests in the capital Ulaanbaatar, spearheaded by young Mongolians demanding change. Many accused the government of enabling corrupt elites to profit from Mongolia’s lucrative coal industry, while ordinary citizens struggled with economic hardship.
One of the core grievances fueling public outrage involves allegations that members of the prime minister’s family lived extravagantly—well beyond what a public servant’s salary could support. Though the prime minister’s office denied the claims, calling them a “smear,” they failed to quell public dissatisfaction.
Monday’s protests, involving hundreds of young demonstrators, reflected a generational shift in political engagement. Chanting “It is easy to resign,” the demonstrators rallied outside parliament, with many calling for systemic reform.
“I want a different life, a different society,” said 30-year-old content creator Yroolt, who attended the protests. Another organizer, Ulamsaikhan Otgon, 24, emphasized that young Mongolians were increasingly unwilling to tolerate unfairness in governance.
Political uncertainty deepened last month when the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) expelled the Democratic Party (DP) from the coalition government after some DP lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdene’s resignation.
As the nation awaits a new prime minister, citizens and lawmakers alike are grappling with what the transition will mean for Mongolia’s democratic future and fight against entrenched corruption.
