Mongolia PM resigns after son's luxury holiday stirs public fury

Mongolia's Prime Minister, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, resigned after a wave of public anger erupted over photos showing his son's extravagant holiday. The images, which circulated widely on social media, depicted the Prime Minister's son and his girlfriend enjoying a luxurious engagement trip, flaunting expensive items such as a black Dior shoulder bag and multiple shopping bags. These displays of wealth sparked questions among the public about how the Prime Minister's family could afford such a lavish lifestyle, especially in a country where many people face economic challenges. The controversy led to an anti-corruption investigation by Mongolia's authorities and weeks of protests, with many young people demanding Oyun-Erdene's resignation.

In a parliamentary vote, Oyun-Erdene failed to secure enough support to remain in office, receiving only 44 votes out of 88 lawmakers present, while he needed at least 64 votes from the 126-member parliament. Following the vote, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Mongolia during difficult times, including the pandemic and international conflicts. Despite the allegations and public pressure, Oyun-Erdene denied any wrongdoing and accused his critics of trying to smear his reputation.

Mongolia has struggled with corruption for many years, and the problem has worsened since Oyun-Erdene took office. The country, once a communist state between Russia and China, has been transitioning to democracy since the early 1990s. Transparency International ranked Mongolia 114th out of 180 countries in government transparency last year. The government has also been working to strengthen ties with Western countries, including the United States and Europe, as part of its 'third neighbour' foreign policy. However, corruption remains a significant challenge for Mongolia's development and governance.