Backgrounds: Mongolia Government

Mongolia
Population: 2,751,314 (July 2004 est.)

Capital: Ulaanbaatar
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Backgrounds: Mongolia Government

Until 1990, the Mongolian Government was modeled on the Soviet system; only the communist party--the MPRP--
officially was permitted to function. After some instability during the first two decades of communist rule in Mongolia,
there was no significant popular unrest until December 1989. Collectivization of animal husbandry, introduction of
agriculture, and the extension of fixed abodes were all carried out without perceptible popular opposition.
The birth of perestroika in the former Soviet Union and the democracy movement in eastern Europe were mirrored in
Mongolia. The dramatic shift toward reform started in early 1990 when the first organized opposition group, the
Mongolian Democratic Union, appeared. In the face of extended street protests in subzero whether and popular
demands for faster reform, the politburo of the MPRP resigned in March 1990. In May, the constitution was amended,
deleting reference to the MPRP's role as the guiding force in the country, legalizing opposition parties, creating a
standing legislative body, and establishing the office of president.
Mongolia's first multi-party elections for a People's Great Hural were held on July 29, 1990. The MPRP won 85% of
the seats. The People's Great Hural first met on September 3 and elected a president (MPRP), vice president (SDP--
Social Democrats), prime minister (MPRP), and 50 members to the Baga Hural (small Hural). The vice president also
was chairman of the Baga Hural. In November 1991, the People's Great Hural began discussion on a new
constitution, which entered into force February 12. In addition to establishing Mongolia as an independent, sovereign
republic and guaranteeing a number of rights and freedoms, the new constitution restructured the legislative branch
of government, creating a unicameral legislature, the State Great Hural (SGH).
The 1992 constitution provided that the president would be elected by popular vote rather than by the legislature as
before. In June 1993, incumbent Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat won the first popular presidential election running as the
candidate of the democratic opposition.
As the supreme government organ, the SGH is empowered to enact and amend laws, determine domestic and
foreign policy, ratify international agreements, and declare a state of emergency. The SGH meets semiannually. SGH
members elect a chairman and vice chairman who serve 4-year terms. SGH members are popularly elected by
district for 4-year terms.
The president is the head of state, commander in chief of the armed forces, and head of the National Security
Council. He is popularly elected by a national majority for a 4-year term and limited to two terms. The constitution
empowers the president to propose a prime minister, call for the government's dissolution, initiate legislation, veto all
or parts of legislation (the SGH can override the veto with a two-thirds majority), and issue decrees, which become
effective with the prime minister's signature. In the absence, incapacity, or resignation of the president, the SGH
chairman exercises presidential power until inauguration of a newly elected president.
The government, headed by the prime minister, has a 4-year term. The prime minister is nominated by the president
and confirmed by the SGH. The prime minister chooses a cabinet, subject to SGH approval. Dissolution of the
government occurs upon the prime minister's resignation, simultaneous resignation of half the cabinet, or after an
SGH vote for dissolution.
Local hurals are elected by the 18 aimags (provinces) plus the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and cities of Darhan and
Erdenet. On the next lower administrative level, they are elected by provincial subdivisions and urban subdistricts in
Ulaanbaatar and the municipalities, Darhan and Erdenet.
Political Parties
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
Democratic Party
Mongolian Green Party
Mongolian People's Party
Mongolian Republican Party
Mongolian Workers' Party
Mongolian Traditional United Party
Mongolian Solidarity Party
Mongolian Party for Tradition and Justice
Mongolian Democratic Socialist Party
Mongolian Youth Party
Mongolian Liberal Democratic Party
Mongolian Democratic New Socialist Party
Mongolian Communist Party
Mongolian Local Development Party
Mongolian Civil Democratic New Liberal Party
Mongolian Civil Courage Party
Mongolian New Social Democratic Party
Mongolian United Ethnographical Party
Legal System
The new constitution empowered a General Council of Courts (GCC) to select all judges and protect their rights. The
Supreme Court is the highest judicial body. Justices are nominated by the GCC and confirmed by the SGH and
president. The court is constitutionally empowered to examine all lower court decisions--excluding specialized court
rulings--upon appeal and provide official interpretations on all laws except the constitution.
Specialized civil, criminal, and administrative courts exist at all levels and are not subject to Supreme Court
supervision. Local authorities--district and city governors--ensure that these courts abide by presidential decrees and
SGH decisions. At the apex of the judicial system is the Constitutional Court, which consists of nine members,
including a chairman, appointed for 6-year terms, whose jurisdiction extends solely over the interpretation of the
constitution.
Mongolia maintains an embassy in the United States at 2833 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20007; tel. (202) 333-
7117 , fax (202) 298-9227.
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Mongolia

Population: 2,751,314 (July 2004 est.)

Backgrounds: Mongolia Government

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