Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has resigned after losing a vote of confidence in Parliament, amid weeks of anti-corruption protests. The protests were sparked by public frustration over the prime minister’s family’s lavish lifestyle, leading to persistent demonstrations in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Oyun-Erdene announced his resignation on Tuesday, after Parliament failed to back him in a confidence vote the previous day.
“It was an honour to serve my country and people in times of difficulties, including pandemics, wars, and tariffs,” Oyun-Erdene said after the result of the secret ballot was announced to Parliament. Despite denying corruption allegations, Oyun-Erdene blamed “major, visible and hidden interests” for waging an “organised campaign” to bring down the government. He also warned that political instability and economic chaos would follow if he were forced out of power.
However, his pleas did not convince Parliament, with only 44 lawmakers backing him and 38 against, short of the 64-vote threshold needed in the 126-seat Parliament. Oyun-Erdene will remain in a caretaker capacity until a successor is named within 30 days.
The protests reflect deep-seated corruption concerns in Mongolia, where many argue that wealthy elites are hoarding profits from the coal mining boom. Since Oyun-Erdene took power in 2021, Mongolia’s ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index has dropped. Concerns over the economy and rising living costs have also fueled the unrest. Hundreds of young people converged on the square outside the parliament building on Monday, marching with white placards and chanting “Resignation is easy”.
Julian Dierkes, a Mongolia expert at Germany’s University of Mannheim, notes that Oyun-Erdene’s ouster “may mean the resurgence of factional politics in his party” after years of comparative stability. Further demonstrations are expected in central Ulaanbaatar, with protesters voicing dismay at deeply embedded corruption and social injustice on the part of the Minister and his family.