BEIJING (AP) — Mongolia's parliament has voted to remove its prime minister in an unusual public power struggle within the ruling Mongolian People's Party.
Opponents of Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojawa managed to pass a controversial resolution on Friday that effectively removed him from office.
Parliament also discussed a request for the resignation of Speaker Amarbayasgalan Dashzegwe, the prime minister's main rival in the internal party struggle.
It is unclear who might succeed Zandanshatar, who is acting prime minister until a successor is named, or whether he will challenge his dismissal. In June he was appointed prime minister.
The political upheaval comes at a critical time, as next year's budget has not yet been adopted. Teachers demanding higher government salaries went on strike this week, and doctors are threatening to do the same.
The feud between the ruling party began after Zandanshatar lost the party leadership election to Amarbayasgalan.
The prime minister's supporters then accused the speaker of involvement in corruption in the coal industry, and a government investigation was launched.
“We are fighting the theft of national wealth that has robbed every Mongolian, and we are working to increase the salaries of teachers and doctors,” Zandanshatar said during a debate before the vote to remove him.
On Thursday, Amarbayasgalan asked to be allowed to step down as parliament speaker to restore his honor and protect parliamentary democracy.
“The obsession with power among those who lost elections and their lawless, arbitrary actions within the executive branch are unlawfully influencing law enforcement in violation of the Constitution,” he said.
The vote on the prime minister's fate came after a parliamentary committee voted against his resignation.
The whole parliament was then asked whether it supported the committee's decision. In such decisions, MPs who do not vote are counted as “no” votes. The “no” votes were a clear majority, so Zandanshatar was fired.
Some of the prime minister's supporters boycotted Thursday's parliamentary session, delaying the vote by one day, depriving the 126-member body of the quorum needed to vote.
