Politics of Mongolia
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Politics of Mongolia takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
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[edit] Political developments
Until 1990, the Mongolian Government was modeled on the Soviet system; only the communist party--the MPRP--officially was permitted to function. After some instability during the first two decades of communist rule in Mongolia, there was no significant popular unrest until December 1989. Collectivization of animal husbandry, introduction of agriculture, and the extension of fixed abodes were all carried out without perceptible popular opposition.
The birth of perestroika in the former Soviet Union and the democracy movement in eastern Europe were mirrored in Mongolia. The dramatic shift toward reform started in early 1990 when the first organized opposition group, the Mongolian Democratic Union, appeared. In the face of extended street protests in subzero weather and popular demands for faster reform, the politburo of the MPRP resigned in March 1990. In May, the constitution was amended, deleting reference to the MPRP's role as the guiding force in the country, legalizing opposition parties, creating a standing legislative body, and establishing the office of president.
Mongolia's first multi-party elections for a People's Great Hural were held on 29 July 1990. The MPRP won 85% of the seats. The People's Great Hural first met on 3 September and elected a president (MPRP), vice president (SDP--Social Democrats), prime minister (MPRP), and 50 members to the Baga Hural (small Hural). The vice president also was chairman of the Baga Hural. In November 1991, the People's Great Hural began discussion on a new constitution, which entered into force February 12. In addition to establishing Mongolia as an independent, sovereign republic and guaranteeing a number of rights and freedoms, the new constitution restructured the legislative branch of government, creating a unicameral legislature, the State Great Hural (SGH).
The 1992 constitution provided that the president would be elected by popular vote rather than by the legislature as before. In June 1993, incumbent Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat won the first popular presidential election running as the candidate of the democratic opposition.
As the supreme government organ, the SGH is empowered to enact and amend laws, determine domestic and foreign policy, ratify international agreements, and declare a state of emergency. The SGH meets semiannually. SGH members elect a chairman and vice chairman who serve 4-year terms. SGH members are popularly elected by district for 4-year terms.
Until June 27, 2004, the predominant party in Mongolia was the ex-communist party Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP. The main opposition party was the Democratic Party or DP, which controlled a governing coalition from 1996 to 2000.
From 2000 to 2004 MPRP was back in power, but results of the 2004 elections required the establishing of the first ever coalition government in Mongolia between the MPRP and MDC (Motherland Democratic Coalition).
Mongolia uses a parliamentary system where the president has a symbolic role and the "government" chosen by the legislature is the executive power. The legislative power State Great Khural, has one chamber with 76 seats and is chaired by the speaker of the house.
On January 13, 2006 the parliament's 39 members, mostly MPRP but including four Democratic Party members Mendsaikhan Enkhsaikhan, Janlavyn Narantsatsralt, Mishig Sonompil, Jamiyandorj Batkhuyag, overthrew democrat Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj's grand coalition government violating the Constitution as it exceeded its power. This was based on the MPRP Directing Board's decision which violates its three agreements with the Democratic Party. Mongolians made strong protests against the MPRP and the Parliament's decision to overthrow Elbegdorj's Government almost over four months. MPRP did not have enough reason to overthrow Elbegdorj's government. However, the event immediately followed the arrest of Mongolia's Customs Chairman Baatar on spot of corruption. Baatar claimed his key ties are MPRP leaders according to Mongolian newspapers.
Three of the four DP MPs who violated its own party decision were rewarded with positions in the new MPRP government, at the price of getting expelled from the DP afterwards. Chairman of MPRP Miyeegombo Enkhbold became the new prime minister on January 26th. The power shift triggered strong protests against the MPRP by several civil and political organisations.
In February 2006, MP Tsogtyn Bataa changed sides from the Motherland Party to the MRPR, giving the latter exactly 50% of the seats.
In April 2006, Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj was elected as a Democratic Party chairman by the two step elections of the party.
[edit] Executive branch
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Nambaryn Enkhbayar | MPRP | June 28, 2005 |
| Prime Minister | Miyeegombo Enkhbold | MPRP | January 24, 2006 |
The presidential candidates are nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and from these candidates the president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The president is the head of state, commander in chief of the armed forces, and head of the national security council. He is popularly elected by a national majority for a 4-year term and limited to two terms. The constitution empowers the president to propose a prime minister, call for the government's dissolution, initiate legislation, veto all or parts of legislation (the State Great Hural can override the veto with a two-thirds majority), and issue decrees, which become effective with the prime minister's signature. In the absence, incapacity, or resignation of the president, the SGH chairman exercises presidential power until inauguration of a newly elected president.
The government, headed by the prime minister, has a 4-year term. The prime minister is nominated by the president and confirmed by the SGH. The prime minister chooses a cabinet, subject to State Great Hural approval. Dissolution of the government occurs upon the prime minister's resignation, simultaneous resignation of half the cabinet, or after an State Great Hural vote for dissolution.
The MPRP and a coalition of opposition parties currently rule in a national unity coalition after they both got the same number of seats in 2004. In July 2005 the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) announced a unilateral end to the Grand Coalition Government, and that it was assuming the full power of government. After a series of negotiations, the MPRP elected to allow the government of Prime Minister Ts. Elbegdorj to remain in power until August 2006, when Deputy Prime Minister Ulaan is schedule to take the Prime Ministership for the remaining two years of the term.
[edit] Legislative branch
The State Great Assembly (Ulsyn Ich-Chural) has 76 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constituencies.
[edit] Political parties and elections
- For other political parties see List of political parties in Mongolia. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Mongolia.
| Candidates - Nominating parties | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Nambariin Enkhbayar - Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party | 53.4 | |
| Mendsayhany Enkhsaikhan - Democratic Party | 19.7 | |
| Bazarsad Jargalsaikhan - Republican Party | 13.9 | |
| Badarch Erdenebat - Motherland Party | 11.4 | |
| Total (turnout 74.9%) | ||
| Source: Angus Reid | ||
| Parties | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (Mongol Ardyn Khuv'sgalt Nam) | 46.5 | 37 | |
Motherland Democracy Coalition (Ekh Oron-Ardchilsan)
|
44.7 | 34 | |
| Republican Party (Bügd Nairamdakh Nam) | 1.5 | 1 | |
| Non-partisans (former members Democratic Party) | 3.6 | 3 | |
| Undecided (claimed by Motherland Democracy Coalition EOA) | 1 | ||
| Total (turnout 82.2 %) | 76 | ||
| Source: IPU | |||
[edit] Legal System
The new constitution empowered a General Council of Courts (GCC) to select all judges and protect their rights. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body. Justices are nominated by the GCC and confirmed by the SGH and president. The court is constitutionally empowered to examine all lower court decisions--excluding specialized court rulings--upon appeal and provide official interpretations on all laws except the constitution.
Specialized civil, criminal, and administrative courts exist at all levels and are not subject to Supreme Court supervision. Local authorities--district and city governors--ensure that these courts abide by presidential decrees and SGH decisions. At the apex of the judicial system is the Constitutional Court, which consists of nine members, including a chairman, appointed for 6-year terms, whose jurisdiction extends solely over the interpretation of the constitution.
[edit] Administrative divisions
Mongolia is divided in 21 Aimags (provinces) and 1 municipality (hot); Arkhangai, Bayan-Ölgii, Bayankhongor, Bulgan, Darkhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Govi-Altai, Govisümber, Khentii, Khovd, Khövsgöl, Ömnögovi, Orkhon, Övörkhangai, Selenge, Sükhbaatar, Töv, Uvs, Zavkhan.
Local khurals are elected by the 21 aimags plus the capital, Ulan Bator. On the next lower administrative level, they are elected by provincial subdivisions and urban subdistricts in Ulan Bator
