Mongolia

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

Capital: Ulaanbaatar
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An Introduction to Mongolia
The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Genghis KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire.
After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century.
The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its
independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A Communist regime was installed in 1924. During the early 1990s, the
ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually yielded its monopoly on power to the
Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), which defeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Since then, elections
returned the MPRP overwhelmingly to power in 2000 and ended in a split vote in 2004.

Map of Mongolia ( Location ) : 46 00 N, 105 00 E, Northern Asia, between China and Russia. For additional reports and
educational information specific to Mongolia, refer to the Country Info menubar to the upper right.
The Mongolian Flag
Three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red
band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and
geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol).

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.

Tabular Data - Government of Mongolia

Country Name Info : conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Mongolia
local long form: none
local short form: Mongol Uls
former: Outer Mongolia
Government Type : parliamentary
Capital : Ulaanbaatar
Administrative 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality*
Divisions : (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan,
Darhan Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-
Altay, Govi-Sumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi,
Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*,
Uvs
Independence : 11 July 1921 (from China)
National Holiday : Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution : 12 February 1992
Legal System : blend of Soviet, German, and US systems of law that
combines aspects of a parliamentary system with some
aspects of a presidential system; constitution ambiguous on
judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage : 18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch : chief of state: President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20
June 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Tsakhiagiyn ELBEGDORJ
(since 20 August 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural in
consultation with the president
elections: president nominated by parties in the State Great
Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election
last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held in May 2005); following
legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority
coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great
Hural; election last held 27 July 2004 (next to be held in June
2008)
election results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI reelected president;
percent of vote - Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 58.13%,
Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ (DP) 36.58%,
Luvsandamba DASHNYAM (CWP) 3.54%, other 1.75%;
Tsakkhiagiyn ELBEGDOJ elected prime minister by the State
Great Hural 74 to 0
 Legislative Branch : unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 27 June 2004 (next to be held in June
2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party
- MPRP 36, MDC 34, others 4; note - 2 seats undecided
Judicial Branch : Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and
provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts;
judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts for
approval by the president)
Political Parties and Citizens' Will Republican Party or CWRP (also called Civil
Leaders : Courage Republican Party or CCRP) [Sanjaasurengiin
OYUUN]; Democratic Party or DP [M. ENKHSAIKHAN];
Motherland-Mongolian New Socialist Democratic Party or M-
MNSDP [B. ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary
Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian
Republican Party or MRP [B. JARGALSAIKHAN]
note: The CWRP, DP, and M-MNSDP formed the Motherland-
Democracy Coalition or MDC for the 2004 elections; the leader
of the coalition is M. ENKHSAIKHAN
International ARF, AsDB, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
Organization ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Participation : Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLD
Representation In The chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
US : telephone: [1]  (202) 333-7117 
FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. SLUTZ
Representation From embassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021,
The US : Ulaanbaatar 13
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [976] (11) 329095
FAX: [976] (11) 320776

Tabular Data - Political Leaders of Mongolia

Position Held: By Individual:

President Bagabandi, Natsagiyn
Prime Minister Elbedorj, Tsakhiagiyn
Speaker of the State Great Hural Enkhbayar, Nambaryn
Chief of Staff Bayar, Sanjaa
Chief Cabinet Secretariat Enkhtuvshin, Ulziisaikhany
Secretary, National Security Council Bold, Ravdangiyn
Min. of Defense Gurragchaa, Jugderdemidiin
Min. of Education, Culture, & Science Tsanjid, Ayurzanyn
Min. of Environment & Nature Barsbold, Ulambayaryn
Min. of Finance & Economics Ulaan, Chultemin
Min. of Food & Agriculture Nasanjargal, Darjaagiin
Min. of Foreign Affairs Erdenechuluun, Luvsangiin
Min. of Health Nyamdavaa, Pagvajavyn
Min. of Industry & Commerce Ganzorig, Chimidzorigiin
Min. of Infrastructure Jigjid, Byambyn
Min. of Justice & Internal Affairs Nyamdorj, Tsendiin
Min. of Social Welfare & Labor Batbayar, Shiilegiin
Ambassador to the US Bold, Ravdangiyn
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York Choisuren, Baatar
 
Chiefs of State listings last updated October 28, 2004