Politics
Parliament Schedules Vote to Remove and Elect Deputy Speaker; 2026 Budget Package Advances
Published: 2025-11-02
Parliament will take up the removal and replacement of its Deputy Speaker during next week’s plenary, with sessions set for November 3–7. Alongside leadership changes, lawmakers plan to advance the 2026 budget package, including the state budget, National Wealth Fund, Social Insurance Fund, and Health Insurance Fund. Committees will prepare these bills for further readings, and a joint Budget–Economic Committee meeting is slated to move amendments to the medium-term fiscal framework (2026–2028) to later stages. The agenda also includes ratification of a Mongolia–Kazakhstan social security agreement on pensions and consideration of a proposal to form a temporary oversight committee. For investors, the fiscal calendar signals continued debate on tax treatment of real estate transfers and broader expenditure priorities ahead of year-end deadlines.
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Presidential Veto Withdrawn as MPP Moves to Reunify Faction; Deputy PM Dismissed and OT Talks Advance
Published: 2025-11-02
President U. Khurelsukh retracted his veto of Parliament’s Resolution No. 95 after the Constitutional Court ruled the October 17 vote to dismiss the prime minister violated multiple constitutional provisions, including due process on no-confidence motions. The ruling also faulted Deputy Speaker Kh. Bulgantuya’s handling of the session. The ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) formed a reconciliation task force led by former minister Ch. Khurelbaatar and installed J. Batjargal as MPP caucus chief, while nominating J. Bat-Erdene for deputy speaker. Party secretary-general Ya. Sodbaatar said the group must unify the split within two days and ensure timely budget passage.
“We formed a task force to consolidate differences and ensure unity, while enabling Parliament to pass the budget on time.” - Ya. Sodbaatar, MPP Secretary-General (news.mn)
The government dismissed Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan for breaching a “responsibility agreement.” Amarsaikhan said he cannot continue under PM G. Zandanshatar’s cabinet.
“I cannot continue working in the government led by G. Zandanshatar and have formally notified the cabinet meeting.” - S. Amarsaikhan, Deputy Prime Minister (news.mn)
Separately, a cabinet task force began formal talks with Rio Tinto to recalibrate Oyu Tolgoi shareholder loan interest and management fees by Jan. 31, 2026, with possible extension. On housing, the government set up a team to prioritize teachers, doctors, and civil servants for 21,694 Ulaanbaatar apartments under low down-payment mortgages, pending financing plans. The president also conferred state honors marking 90 years of Mongolian cinema.
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Infrastructure
Fuel Logistics Update: 132 Rail Tankers of AI-92 Gasoline Positioned and En Route Nationwide
Published: 2025-11-02
As of November 2, authorities report 132 rail tankers of AI-92 gasoline are in the national supply chain. Seventy-four wagons are positioned for unloading at key rail hubs—Tolgoit (50), Ulaanbaatar (6), Darkhan (7), Arshaant/Rashaant (10), and Baganuur (1). Another 58 wagons are moving from Sükhbaatar toward Ulaanbaatar (11), Tolgoit (25), Arshaant/Rashaant (6), Sainshand (5), and Erdenet (11). The distribution pattern indicates priority for Ulaanbaatar’s urban demand and Tolgoit’s major storage facilities, with allocations also supporting regional centers such as Erdenet and Sainshand. The update, from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, suggests near-term availability at primary depots while replenishment continues via the northern rail corridor, a common route for imports from Russia.
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Prime Minister Presses Refinery Progress as India Seeks Faster Worker Visas
Published: 2025-11-02
Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar inspected the oil refinery project, which has advanced to just over 50% completion from about 20% four months ago. The multi-package project saw its first phase accepted by the state in 2024, while the power plant and process units are in construction. A 527 km crude pipeline is 89.4% finished. Zandanshatar said ensuring crude supply and expanding the Shireet substation to 25 MW are priority government tasks for full commissioning. India’s EXIM Bank is financing the project with a USD 1.7 billion loan, and Indian counterparts requested expedited visas for personnel to meet an accelerated 2027 completion target ahead of the 2028 deadline. Once operational, the plant aims to process 1.5 million tons of fuel, potentially covering 50–100% of domestic demand and creating 1,500 jobs.
“The government will give special attention to crude feedstock supply and expanding the Shireet substation to 25 MW for full implementation of the project.” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (gogo.mn)
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Society
Nationwide Teacher Strike Enters Third Week as Sides Report Tentative Deal Filed for Registration
Published: 2025-11-02
More than 35,000 education staff across 675 schools and kindergartens are in an open-ended strike now in its 13th day, pressing for higher base pay. The teachers’ union demands salaries of MNT 3.5 million, while the government signals phased reforms, including performance-based pay and a 50% rise in base salaries for teachers and doctors from 2026. Parents await clarity on when classes will resume; the Education Ministry has not issued an official resolution. Union and ministry representatives say they reached a preliminary agreement and submitted it to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection for registration; the strike will continue until the accord is formalized.
“By Monday we must bring schools and kindergartens back. We cannot freeze social life further; learning loss has serious consequences.” - Education Minister P. Naranbayar (gogo.mn)
“From 2026 we will raise base salaries for teachers and doctors by 50%.” - Prime Minister G. Zandanshatar (news.mn)
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Ulaanbaatar Launches Cash Rewards for Reporting Parking and Lane-Blocking Violations
Published: 2025-11-02
Ulaanbaatar began a citizen reward scheme on November 1, 2025 to curb illegal parking and lane-blocking near pedestrian areas and bus stops. Residents can photograph violations and submit them via the 102 app to the Traffic Police (ZKhUT). If a fine is imposed, the reporter receives 10–20% of the penalty—typically MNT 2,000–4,000 from a MNT 20,000 fine—with payouts increasing if the offender pays late, as interest raises the total fine. Income tax will be withheld before rewards are transferred to bank accounts. Disbursements follow Mongolia’s VAT refund schedule: rewards for November–December 2025 will be paid on January 20, 2026, and for the first quarter on April 20. Late payments accrue interest; for example, a MNT 20,000 fine can rise to MNT 30,000 after five months, lifting the reporter’s reward to MNT 6,000. The policy aims to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety through crowd-sourced enforcement.
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Environment
Ulaanbaatar to Shift Fully to Semi‑Coke Briquettes in December as City Tightens Fuel Controls
Published: 2025-11-02
Ulaanbaatar will move entirely to semi‑coke briquette consumption starting in December, while authorities expand supply and crack down on card abuse at coal distribution points in the capital’s ger districts. Deputy Mayor A. Amartuvshin said the city instructed Tavan Tolgoi Tulsh to increase sack weights to 25.5–26 kg and doubled daily allocations at sales points, with some outlets reloaded twice due to rapid sellouts. Officials reported 397 active points citywide, 315 of which held overnight reserves exceeding 2,000 tons, yet demand remains elevated in new settlement areas like Songinokhairkhan’s 33rd khoroo. Authorities deactivated 33,000 fuel cards registered under temporary residents and now enforce one card per household, integrating the Hotula app and QR verification to track inventory and deter resale. Three fuel types are offered for now—semi‑coke, improved briquettes, and washed middlings—before the full switchover.
“From December, we will transition to 100 percent semi‑coke briquettes, and sacks are now packed to 25.5–26 kg to meet standards.” - A. Amartuvshin, Deputy Mayor for Social Sector, Green Development and Air Quality (news.mn)
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Eco Hub Recycling Center Planned Near Sambalkhündev Cemetery in Chingeltei District
Published: 2025-11-02
Authorities in Ulaanbaatar are advancing plans for a model waste-sorting and pre-recycling facility—dubbed “Eco Hub”—near the 70 Davkhar (Sambalkhündev) cemetery in Chingeltei District’s 21st khoroo. The initiative aims to convert waste into valuable resources and strengthen collaboration among government, private sector, and residents. The cemetery, established in the 1930s and closed in 1987, sits among several ger-area neighborhoods and has long posed environmental and public health concerns due to toxic gases and soil contamination associated with burials. Despite being declared full and spanning 73.9 hectares in 2015, a 2021 review found a roughly 20% rise in unidentified graves. Earlier concession-based plans for a memorial park stalled. The current project envisions partially clearing the cemetery and developing a 10-hectare memorial park with a remains storage facility and unified service center.
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Innovation
Police Warn Against Answering Multi-Digit Calls Linked to Cyber Fraud Schemes
Published: 2025-11-02
Mongolia’s National Police Agency cautioned the public against answering unusual multi-digit phone calls that may originate from virtual, non-geographic numbers. Authorities say engaging with such calls can expose users to credential theft, including mobile banking logins and social media passwords, leading to financial losses through cybercrime. The police also advised against clicking links sent via text messages. According to the agency, roughly half of crimes recorded daily involve misuse of bank accounts, online lending platforms, and mobile communications, underscoring persistent phishing and social engineering risks. For businesses and individuals, the advisory signals elevated vigilance requirements: avoid interacting with suspicious calls or messages, enforce multi-factor authentication on banking and enterprise accounts, and review internal cybersecurity protocols to prevent account compromise and funds diversion.
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