The Democratic Party of Mongolia announced Thursday that it plans to quit the governing coalition, in maneuvering ahead of elections likely to center on how the poor country can better distribute wealth from a recent mining boom. The Democratic Party’s withdrawal, if finalized, still leaves the dominant Mongolian People’s Party with a majority in parliament, so the move is unlikely to affect the workings of the government. But it presages bruising elections for parliament and local councils in June.
The Democrats joined the Mongolian People’s Party in forming a coalition after a bitterly fought election four years ago ended in disputes over the outcomes and riots that left five people dead. In announcing its withdrawal, the Democratic Party chairman said the political cooperation to heal divisions in 2008 is no longer needed in better economic times.
“By having a coalition government, Mongolia was able to have a stable political life and overcome the global financial and economic crisis with less damage,” said the chairman, Altankhuyag Norov, who is also senior deputy prime minister. He listed as accomplishments the mega-mining projects for gold, copper and coal that are being developed.
Full Article: Mongolian Democrats quit coalition ahead of poll: Associated Press Business News – MSN Money.
