Mongolia’s Opposition Party Internal Conflict Implodes Over Battulga’s Re-Election Bid

Erdene and Tuvaan last summer (news.mn)

The Democratic Party’s internal power struggle reached a boiling point as Tsedevdambyn Oyungerel, a presidential nominee hopeful, openly backs former party leader Erdene against a faction loyal to ex-president Battulga. Oyungerel accuses interim party head MP Tuvaan of bypassing party procedures to clear Battulga’s path to re-nomination—an explosive charge that has deepened the party’s civil war.

However, the administrative court found that Erdene had no legal ground to lead the DP and Tuvaan loyalists expelled Erdene for 8 years.

In spite of legal challenges, Erdene said that DP’s primary contests for the party leader and presidential candidate would be announced after Tsagaan Sar holidays. He has called into question Battulga’s renomination eligibility by saying that the constitutional court had the final say over the issue - exactly the same position held by the MPP lawmakers.

A self-exiled former PM Saikhanbileg of DP also added his voice in growing internal party opposition to Battulga’s presidential re-nomination.

Saikhanbileg issued an elaborate document (saikhanbileg.com) in English with the help of the international law firm (Amsterdam and Partners) detailing President Battulga’s repression and harassment against him and other opponents over the past four years. He labeled Battulga’s actions as ‘poison’ to Mongolia’s democracy and investment climate.

Ex-mayor Bat-Uul of DP, who is another critic of Battulga, announced that he was not interested in the presidential race amid Mongolia opposition party's internal conflict. His trial over alleged corruption during his mayorship has been dragging on for years.

Ex-president Elbegdorj of DP, a vocal critic of the president, has been eerily quiet lately.

If DP’s ‘civil war’ gets worse President Battulga could become the first ever sitting president to be denied his party’s nomination.

What is clear is Battulga faces an uphill battle in the coming months for his renomination this summer and risks being denied from re-running.

----------------

We think the world needs to hear more about Mongolia. At Mongolia Weekly, we're working hard to make that happen. But we need your support.

You can help us grow and tell Mongolia's stories to the world through our weekly newsletter, which is packed full of exclusive information you won't find anywhere else. Why not try it for free today?