Gomboja Zandanshatar was elected after the resignation of Oyun-Erdene, who was ousted following strong youth protests in Ulan Bator. A former banker who studied in Russia and did research at Stanford, he will face serious economic challenges, including inflation, deficit and unemployment. ‘Budget review inevitable,’ he said. Tax reforms and restrictions on luxury consumption and high incomes have been announced.
The prime minister ousted by parliament had promoted a New Recovery Policy to make Mongolia independent from the mining industry interests. Despite economic growth and the reduction of public debt, his government has had to face growing criticism, triggered by the luxury flaunted by his son on social media. Now a new phase of political uncertainty has opened for the country nestled between Russia and China.
Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has called for a vote of confidence in Parliament, after protesters accused him of promoting corruption and inequality. Instead, the PM blames instead mining oligarchs for the problems. Meanwhile, fears are growing that the powers of the country’s presidency might be enhanced ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his new book, the Spanish writer recounts his trip to Ulaanbaatar with Pope Francis in 2023. As a convinced atheist, he discovered the "radicality" of men and women religious who help people without proselytising. For him, they embody the pontiff’s “missionary and poor Church”, he said yesterday at a meeting with the press in Rome. The novel narrates the meetings with Fr Ernesto Viscardi and Sr Ana Waturu.
The agreement, which provides Mongolia with an air traffic control radar system, is part of Japan’s defence assistance programme inaugurated in 2023. For the Japanese government, it enhances its commitment to regional stability in an anti-Chinese perspective.
Today's news: Defying CPI arrest warrant, Putin visiting Mongolia to strengthen economic and industrial relations; 1School bus crashes into a group of parents and children outside a school in Shandong, 11 dead; Explosion on the south-western outskirts of Kabul, six dead and 13 injured; Flooding and mudslides caused by Typhoon Yagi killed 13 people in the Philippines.
