Mongolia’s President, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, has vetoed the parliamentary decision to dismiss Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar, deepening the political storm rocking the resource-rich Asian nation.
The dramatic turn of events followed Friday’s vote by lawmakers to oust Zandanshatar—barely four months after he assumed office—amid fierce disputes over a controversial tax policy on mineral exports and growing factional divisions within the ruling Mongolian People’s Party.
In a statement released on Monday, the Office of the President declared the parliamentary decision invalid, citing procedural flaws. It claimed that the vote to remove the Prime Minister took place without a legal quorum, rendering it unconstitutional.
“The parliamentary session lacked the minimum attendance required for a lawful decision,” said Uilstuguldur Altankhuyag, the head of the president’s office, alongside the Secretary of the National Security Council, Byambajargal Altangerel.
The country’s Constitutional Court is now set to deliberate on the president’s veto on Wednesday, in what observers see as a critical test for Mongolia’s democratic institutions and the stability of its young government.
Zandanshatar, who previously served as Khurelsukh’s chief of staff, was appointed Prime Minister in June following a wave of youth-led demonstrations that swept through Ulaanbaatar. The protests, driven by frustrations over corruption, economic inequality and political elitism, had forced the resignation of his predecessor, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, who also lost a parliamentary confidence vote.
Despite initially enjoying broad public goodwill, Zandanshatar’s tenure has been marred by internal dissent and economic pressures. Lawmakers, including members of his own party, criticised his government’s decision to overhaul the mineral export taxation model—requiring royalties to be paid based on domestic market prices rather than global benchmarks. Critics argue the move could deplete state revenue at a time when Mongolia is grappling with inflation and sluggish growth.
The Prime Minister also came under fire for allegedly breaching parliamentary procedure by appointing a new Justice Minister without legislative approval, a decision opposition lawmakers branded “unlawful and autocratic.”
Mongolia, strategically positioned between China and Russia, boasts vast deposits of coal, copper and rare minerals. Yet, despite its wealth in natural resources, the nation continues to struggle with economic instability, high living costs and persistent allegations of government corruption.
