Oyun-Erdene, who has served since 2021, will continue as caretaker PM until a successor is appointed within the next month. This decision comes after an intense two-week uprising by citizens demanding his ouster, fueled in part by social media revelations about his son’s extravagant birthday celebration and engagement.
The vote, conducted in a secret ballot, demonstrated a lack of majority support, with only 44 out of 82 participating lawmakers backing Oyun-Erdene. In his resignation statement, he expressed pride in serving the country, emphasizing the challenges faced during his tenure, including those related to public health and economics.
Social media has played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion against Oyun-Erdene, particularly highlighting his family's perceived luxury lifestyle, which fueled allegations regarding the origins of their wealth. Despite the mounting pressure, Oyun-Erdene has denied any wrongdoing, suggesting the criticism stemmed from a smear campaign.
The political landscape in Mongolia remains fraught with issues of transparency, as noted by watchdog group Transparency International, which reported a decline in government integrity during Oyun-Erdene's term. Mongolia, nestled between Russia and China, has continuously grappled with corruption, a challenge that has persisted since its transition to democracy post-Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
The resignation raises questions about Mongolia's efforts to align more closely with Western nations as part of its foreign policy aims, while also signalling the need for greater accountability in governance.
The vote, conducted in a secret ballot, demonstrated a lack of majority support, with only 44 out of 82 participating lawmakers backing Oyun-Erdene. In his resignation statement, he expressed pride in serving the country, emphasizing the challenges faced during his tenure, including those related to public health and economics.
Social media has played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion against Oyun-Erdene, particularly highlighting his family's perceived luxury lifestyle, which fueled allegations regarding the origins of their wealth. Despite the mounting pressure, Oyun-Erdene has denied any wrongdoing, suggesting the criticism stemmed from a smear campaign.
The political landscape in Mongolia remains fraught with issues of transparency, as noted by watchdog group Transparency International, which reported a decline in government integrity during Oyun-Erdene's term. Mongolia, nestled between Russia and China, has continuously grappled with corruption, a challenge that has persisted since its transition to democracy post-Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
The resignation raises questions about Mongolia's efforts to align more closely with Western nations as part of its foreign policy aims, while also signalling the need for greater accountability in governance.
