Mongolia risks constitutional crisis as President vetoes PM exit

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President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa vetoed a parliamentary vote to dismiss the prime minister by appealing to constitutional principles and legal procedures.

PHOTO: REUTERS

ULAANBAATAR – Mongolia has been thrown into a political crisis on Oct 20 after President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa vetoed a parliamentary vote to dismiss the prime minister by appealing to constitutional principles and legal procedures.

The Office of the President called the legislature’s vote on Oct 17 unconstitutional, saying in a statement that it ran counter to a committee decision within Parliament not to dismiss Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav.

The vote violated the constitution, “which is an expression of the values ​​and will of the Mongolian people,” the office said.

It further violated procedural law and the Constitution by allowing for the final vote a day after a quorum was not initially met, according to the statement.

A two-thirds majority vote on the floor of the Ikh Khural, Mongolia’s national Parliament, is needed to overturn the president’s veto.

Lawmakers in the East Asian nation

voted to oust the prime minister

The motion to dismiss Mr Zandanshatar cited reasons including an attempt to bypass Parliament’s confirmation for his appointment of a new minister of justice and home affairs.

The veto – along with the resignation of the Parliament’s speaker last week – have cast the country into turmoil that risks spooking investors.

The uncertainty is playing out in the bond market, which was already roiled by the prime minister’s ouster.

Mongolia’s economy has relied heavily on its exports of raw materials and concentrates to