Mongolian president vetoes PM dismissal, citing procedural irregularities

Sign up now: Get STs newsletters delivered to your inbox

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa addresses the \Summit of the Future\ in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado

BEIJING - Mongolias president vetoed a parliamentary resolution to dismiss the prime minister, the official Montsame news agency reported on Monday, as political turmoil deepened in the resource-rich country.

Last Friday lawmakers in Ulaanbaatar voted to remove Zandanshatar Gombojav as prime minister, citing among other reasons his appointment of a minister without prior consultation with parliament.

Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Mongolias president since 2021, found procedural irregularities in the parliaments dismissal vote, including the use of an incorrect voting formula, Montsame said, citing a statement made by his chief of staff on Friday.

The presidential veto is now subject to review under the relevant statutory framework, the state-owned news agency said.

Politics in the landlocked country situated between China and Russia has been rocked by waves of volatility in recent years amid public anger over corruption and a weak domestic economy.

Zandanshatars predecessor, L. Oyun-Erdene, resigned several months ago after losing parliaments confidence as corruption charges sparked street protests. Parliament speaker Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve also resigned last week.

The Mongolian president returned to Ulaanbaatar last Thursday after a state visit to India where officials reached agreements in areas including oil and gas. REUTERS