The Mongolian People's Party candidate won with 68% of the vote. He will replace Khaltmaa Battulga, from the Democratic Party, an alignment that had used the slogan "Mongolia without dictatorship" in the election campaign. Fears for a one-party state.
Ulaan Baatar (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Ukhnaa Khurelsukh yesterday won the elections for the country's presidency. His success consolidates the power of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP).
Khurelsukh, who had been forced to resign as prime minister earlier this year after a wave of protests, won over the other candidates with 68% of the vote; he will replace Khaltmaa Battulga, of the Democratic Party, who has been denied the opportunity to seek re-election following controversial changes to the Constitution, which impose a single presidential term.
Sodnomzundui Erdene, Democratic Party candidate, and Dangaasuren Enkhbat, from the National Labor Party, obtained 20.1% and 6% of the votes respectively.
Despite the landslide victory of the former prime minister, there were no big celebrations in the capital. Claiming victory, the newly elected president said the presidency is a "huge responsibility".
Although the president is forced to renounce affiliation with his party once he takes office, Khurelsukh's victory will in all likelihood strengthen the power of the PPM, an alignment that already controls the government and parliament.
During the election campaign, the Democratic Party, according to which the country was sliding towards a one-party system, used the slogan "Mongolia without dictatorship".
Mongolia's political system gives parliament the right to appoint the government and dictate the policy, but the president has the power to veto the legislation.