The Voice News: Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, the Prime Minister of Mongolia—a landlocked country in East Asia—has resigned following a no-confidence vote in parliament, prompted by prolonged anti-corruption protests.
According to a report published by Al Jazeera on Tuesday (June 3), Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene formally announced his resignation after losing a parliamentary vote of no-confidence. The vote came after weeks of public outcry over alleged corruption and the luxurious lifestyle of the Prime Minister’s family, which became the center of mass protests in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Oyun-Erdene, who assumed office in January 2021, required 64 votes out of the 126-member parliament to survive the no-confidence motion. However, he secured only 44 votes in support, while 38 voted against him.
In response to the vote, Oyun-Erdene stated, “I am proud to have served the country and its people during challenging times like the pandemic, war, and inflation.”
Although he was re-elected in July 2024, mounting allegations of corruption and public discontent put immense pressure on his leadership. In a speech prior to the no-confidence vote, Oyun-Erdene warned of “organized conspiracies by visible and invisible groups” aiming to topple the government. He cautioned that his removal could lead to political instability and economic disruption. Despite the warnings, lawmakers were not swayed.
Following his resignation, Oyun-Erdene will serve as the caretaker Prime Minister. According to the country’s constitution, a new Prime Minister must be appointed within 30 days.
Prolonged Corruption Crisis
Mongolia, a democratic nation in North Asia, has long grappled with rampant corruption. The public has especially been outraged by the concentration of massive profits from the coal mining industry in the hands of a wealthy elite.
Even on Monday, hundreds of young men and women marched with white placards in front of the parliament building, chanting slogans like “Resigning is easy!”
Protesters emphasized that their demonstrations were not just about removing a single leader, but a broader rejection of entrenched corruption and social inequality.
Notably, since Oyun-Erdene came to power, Mongolia’s ranking in corruption indices has worsened. Rising economic uncertainty and soaring living costs have further intensified public unrest.
