MPP Pushing to Strip Presidential Power

The ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP), which controls super-majority in the parliament, is pushing for constitutional amendments to cut presidential terms and increase executive power of the prime minister. It would be a significant departure for Mongolia from the current semi-presidential political system. 

According to sponsors of the bill, key changes would be: - 6-year one-time term limit for the president starting from 2025. (It's not clear whether presidential veto power will be weakened). - Adopting UK-model parliamentary system allowing for the prime minister decide his or her cabinet appointments and call for early elections. - Maximum 5 MPs including the prime minister can serve in the Cabinet. - Extending term limits for Supreme court justices from 6 to 12 years. - Extending term limits for Constitutional court members from 6 to 9 years. - Choosing local governors through direct voting.

Any constitutional amendments require a public referendum and must be enacted six months before the general elections, which are expected to be held in June 2020. The Constitution of Mongolia was adopted in 1992 and amended in 1999 and 2001 respectively.

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