Mongolia’s ruling Mongolian People’s Party on Sunday picked a new prime minister candidate after the resignation of Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav, who had held the post for about nine months. The party nominated its chairman, Uchral Nyam-Osor, who also serves as speaker of parliament, according to state news agency Montsame.
The nomination was announced after Zandanshatar Gombojav stepped down, a move that followed turbulence inside the government and growing friction with the opposition. The ruling party’s decision comes as Mongolia’s political system faces skepticism about corruption and elite influence as the country continues its transition from a one-party communist era.
Montsame said Uchral Nyam-Osor was nominated at a Mongolian People’s Party meeting. He joined the party in 2009 and is seen as a compromise figure amid different factions within the ruling party.
The AP reported that Zandanshatar Gombojav’s resignation followed allegations of corruption involving one of his senior ministers. It also reported that the opposition Democratic Party has refused to attend parliament sessions since earlier this month, citing concerns about a concentration of power within the ruling party.
The resulting turmoil is likely to worsen distrust in government, AP said. Mongolia’s politics have already been marked by rapid leadership changes, which AP said foreign investors have watched warily as the country relies heavily on mining exports, particularly to neighboring China.
The Associated Press reported Mongolia has a population of 3.4 million and remains heavily dependent on mining exports to China. It said the country has also struggled with shifting regulations and recurring corruption concerns, factors that can complicate policy continuity and planning for both political parties and businesses.
Mongolia’s next steps will depend on whether the nominated candidate can secure broader political backing as parliamentary boycott dynamics persist.