Politics
Ruling MPP Revises Charter and Program, Reshapes Oversight and General Council
Published: 2025-11-16
The Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) concluded the second day of its 31st Congress by approving updates to its party charter and program to align with the amended Law on Political Parties. Delegates also moved to renew the party’s General (Baga) Council and the Central Auditing and Oversight Committee, with elections slated during the session. The revisions were drafted after broad member consultations led by MP B. Bayarbaatar and were pre-debated in sectoral sessions. Proceedings included reports under the theme “Tradition, Renewal, and Development,” with a document editorial commission chaired by senior party figure D. Togtokhsuren. While detailed text of the charter changes has not been published, party statements emphasize legal compliance and organizational renewal, signaling possible internal governance adjustments relevant for policy continuity and leadership structures.
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Parliament Passes 2026 Budget on Deadline; New Deputy PM Appointed as Fiscal Plan Tweaked
Published: 2025-11-16
Parliament approved the 2026 state budget on November 13 after an internal split within the ruling MPP threatened quorum, with the Democratic Party’s active participation enabling the vote. The budget targets 5.7% GDP growth and a GDP of MNT 102 trillion, reduces the deficit from MNT 1.5 trillion to MNT 1.0 trillion, and maintains key aggregates: balanced revenue MNT 31.9 trillion, current spending MNT 24.9 trillion, and capital expenditure MNT 8.6 trillion. Adjustments totaling MNT 1.351 trillion include MNT 884.1 billion for wages, pensions, and benefits, and MNT 382.1 billion reallocated within investment outlays to limit inflation pressures.
“The budget was passed on time. While Parliament made some changes, key macro indicators improved and the plan narrows expansion to allow more space for the private sector.” - Finance Minister B. Javkhlan (news.mn)
H. Ganhuyag was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, completing the cabinet and assuming oversight of emergency management, antimonopoly, standards, procurement, and investment agencies; winter preparedness is flagged as a priority. Separately, Justice Minister B. Enkhbayar said he will refer for investigation alleged unlawful transfers of floors in the “Gerege Tower” tied to “Hero Entertainment,” and moved to declassify and probe “Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi” advisery contracts worth USD 20 million.
“It appears non-secret information was unlawfully classified, and large sums were disbursed for unclear deliverables, including international promotion of the ‘Mongol Khaan’ play.” - Justice Minister B. Enkhbayar (news.mn)
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Ruling MPP Weighs New Leadership and Rules as Party Congress Enters Second Day
Published: 2025-11-16
The Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) is set to approve updated party rules and elect a new General Secretary and secretaries during its 31st Congress, decisions that will shape campaigns for the 2027 presidential and 2028 parliamentary elections. Insiders indicate Secretary-General Ya. Sodbaatar could be retained, but factional rifts and questions over his grip on the party’s National Council may complicate reappointment. A parallel debate centers on inserting a strict clause that the party chair must be the prime minister—an amendment that could trigger government reshuffling. Delegates also warned against appointing National Council members via top-down patronage.
“If names are pushed from above, we can walk out of this Congress… Let’s be transparent—no favoritism.” - S. Ankhbayar, Deputy Head, MPP Uvs Committee (news.mn)
The outcome will test whether power is balanced among leading figures, including former speaker D. Amarbaysgalan’s camp, and whether the MPP can avoid splitting its 68-seat parliamentary caucus.
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Published: 2025-11-16
B. Lkhagvajav, president of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a recent contender for the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) chair, urged constitutional-level safeguards to prevent public assets from being misused by officials and called for clearer separation between party structures and state institutions. He framed recent political turmoil and corruption cases tied to major resource projects like Oyu Tolgoi and Tavan Tolgoi as symptoms of weak oversight of public finances and party dominance over local representative bodies. Lkhagvajav advocated competitive leadership selection within the MPP, a merit-based, economically engaged membership, and depoliticizing local citizens’ representative councils to revive constitutional local self-governance.
“Public finances must not be eaten by those in power; the mechanisms to prevent this should be in the Constitution, but they are not today.” - B. Lkhagvajav, MNCCI president and MPP member (news.mn)
“Corruption is the single killer of Mongolia; we must eliminate it together.” - B. Lkhagvajav, MNCCI president and MPP member (news.mn)
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Economy
Intercity Bus Fares to Bulgan and Selenge Raised from Tomorrow as Fuel Costs Climb
Published: 2025-11-16
Intercity bus operators will increase fares on routes from Ulaanbaatar to Bulgan and Selenge starting tomorrow, citing higher fuel and lubricant costs. Adult tickets to Bulgan rise from MNT 32,800 to MNT 40,200, and to Selenge from MNT 23,800 to MNT 32,400. The Auto Transport Authority approved the adjustment after a review, noting fuel accounts for roughly 70% of operating expenses and that nationwide fuel prices climbed by MNT 350–670 per liter between July and November. Mongolia’s intercity network currently runs daily services on 63 routes, and authorities say fare hikes have been proposed for all provinces, with phased tariff increases planned. Travelers should expect broader, gradual fare revisions across the network as operators absorb sustained fuel price pressures.
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Infrastructure
Rashaant Opens Kindergarten Expansion to Serve 210 Children After State-Funded Build
Published: 2025-11-16
Rashaant soum in Bulgan province has inaugurated a state-funded expansion to its “Ireedui” kindergarten, adding capacity for 75 more children. The project, completed by Artus LLC with 2.4 billion MNT from the national budget, expands the facility to seven groups serving 210 children with 23 staff. The kindergarten, founded in 1983 with two yurts, five teachers, and 20 children, now aims to deliver more accessible and higher-quality early childhood education to the local community. The upgrade responds to growing demand for preschool services in rural areas, where improving access is a government priority. Increased capacity is expected to reduce waiting lists and support workforce participation by parents in the soum, while providing a more stable pipeline for primary school readiness.
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Environment
Snowstorms and Deep Freeze Hit Eastern and Central Regions, Easing from Tuesday
Published: 2025-11-16
Mongolia’s national weather agency warns of snow and blowing snow across eastern aimags’ eastern and northern zones and parts of central provinces through Sunday, with hazardous driving conditions on mountain passes and sharp wind gusts over steppe and Gobi areas. Ulaanbaatar will see light snow and −14 to −16°C daytime temperatures, dipping to −22 to −24°C overnight in colder districts. Winds may reach 15–17 m/s in open country. Forecasts indicate brief, localized snow on Nov. 17 in the Khalkh Gol valley and Nov. 19 over the Khentii highlands, with stronger winds on Nov. 19. From Tuesday (Nov. 18), daytime cold will moderate across most regions, though nights remain severe in basins: −29 to −34°C in Darhad and upper Zavkhan. Southern Gobi areas may reach up to +1°C by day. Travelers should plan for icy roads and intermittent closures in affected passes.
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Thin Ice at Tsengel Lake Swallows Three Vehicles; Rescue Teams Warn Against Driving on Frozen Surface
Published: 2025-11-16
Two passenger cars and a truck broke through thin ice on Tsengel Lake in Tünel soum, Khuvsgul province, prompting an emergency response by the provincial disaster agency and local authorities. A team of 16 officers, six members of the soum emergency commission, and residents worked at the scene. The truck was recovered under the direction of the soum’s deputy governor, while the two cars will be retrieved once the ice sufficiently thickens, officials said. Authorities cautioned that the lake’s ice is not yet capable of supporting people or vehicles and urged drivers to avoid the surface. Seasonal freeze-up across Mongolia’s northern lakes can vary significantly year to year, and early travel on ice poses elevated risks to local logistics and tourism operators until consistent sub-zero temperatures ensure safe load-bearing conditions.
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Innovation
Teachers’ Base Pay Set for Sharp Increases in 2026 while Other School Staff See No Raise
Published: 2025-11-16
Mongolia’s 2026 budget allocates substantial salary increases exclusively for teachers, leaving other education-sector staff without raises next year. From January 1, 2026, base pay for teachers will rise 50%, followed by a further adjustment on November 1 to reach a total of 76% and an estimated MNT 2.8 million monthly. Cooks, janitors, firemen/boiler operators, and custodial staff in schools will not receive increases under the current plan. Lawmakers prioritized teachers after determining an additional MNT 400 billion would be needed to extend raises across all education workers, according to the report. The decision indicates targeted wage policy within the sector, with broader adjustments contingent on securing additional fiscal resources during parliamentary deliberations on the 2026 budget law.
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Health
Nutritionists Outline Year-Round Steps to Strengthen Children’s Immunity
Published: 2025-11-16
Mongolian nutrition experts, via GoGo.mn’s “Nutritionist” initiative, advise parents to support children’s immunity throughout the year rather than only during cold season. They note immunity can drop when body temperature falls below 33°C, increasing susceptibility to flu viruses as weather shifts from warm to cold. Recommended measures include using summer months to build resilience through outdoor activity, sun exposure, and exercise; maintaining balanced, nutrient-rich diets year-round; ensuring consistent breakfasts; avoiding late dinners; and reducing sugar intake. The guidance emphasizes gut health, encouraging daily dairy and probiotic-rich foods like yogurt with bifidobacteria, aarts, and khoormog, targeting roughly 2–4 cups of milk/dairy per day depending on age. Regular sleep routines—ideally lights out by 21:00–22:00 (no later than 23:00)—are highlighted to help reduce illness frequency and severity.
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