The first general meeting of the Union of Democratic Forces will be held on March 10. One of its six vice presidents, MP S.Erdene, answers questions on this and other political issues.

Despite denial by its leaders, the impression persists that your Union is meant to be an opposition force within the DP. Is this true?

Many sectors in society need reform, Parliament not excluded. The way our political system and parties work, the way the health and education sectors run – they all need immediate overhaul. Our Union calls for the creation of a new Mongolia and our members are agreed that this can be done. The meeting will discuss how this can be actually achieved. We will talk about how best to distribute the national wealth, what economic reforms are priority, and how to improve other sectors. There is a lot to be done.

Our union also brings together small factions so that different interests can be coalesced into a big force with a big goal. Membership is open. Anyone who shares our principles and agrees to follow our rules can join. Even MPRP members are welcome. The Union is an NGO and goes beyond party affiliations.

Why are people saying the Union will oppose the Altangadas faction and seek to replace the party head? There are rumors that Party Head N.Altankhuyag wants to take a break from politics.

We shall start the wind blowing. Once that happens which corner of society it will reach first for cleaning we cannot say now. We shall provide the force to give a push to our stagnant society. Things must be open and just and for this we need reform in political parties, we need a new election law. The DP, of which I am a member, also needs reform. It must have more internal democracy. Only a new and more powerful DP can serve the nation instead of fighting for chairs and desks. A political party has to respond to social demands. We are not concerned with Altangadas or Altankhuyag. We shall look beyond them to find out how a party can truly serve the people.

How will you find the answer? Did the problem begin when DP agreed to join the Government?

I opposed the establishment of a coalition Government and saw it as leading to the dilution of democracy in Parliament. The majority will govern well only under the watchful eyes of an effective opposition. This is not possible with a coalition Government. There is no unity in practice. We could not amend the Constitution, work on a new election law, adopt a rational policy on distributing the mining wealth because we have no consensus.

The Oyutolgoi agreement is beginning to fall apart.  There is lack of clarity on Tavantolgoi. Mongolians like to copy from other countries, forgetting that conditions in other countries, rich or developing, are very different from ours. I was one of the few who opposed the coalition and I think I have been vindicated. Our Union will make sure such unwise steps are not taken in future.

Rotation elections to the DP governing board will take place this month. After every such previous election, there were complaints that the election had been unfair. What about the upcoming election?

There are clear procedures on how to organize this election. The problems arise when these are ignored, when more resourceful factions distribute largesse to provinces and regions, even to individuals. There is no doubt that this will occur again. If our party officials do not address the situation, it will undermine the DP’s claim and ability to be a political force that serves the interests of the people. Maybe these elections will see the beginning of internal reforms in the party.

Isn’t the compulsion to distribute MNT 1 million or MNT 1.5 million going to affect social change?

Our party did not promise cash. We said we would give MNT 1 million worth of shares to each citizen in the mining wealth. The MPRP wanted to go one better and promised MNT1.5 million in cash. This is an undeniable fact.

What changes in the election system are most important?

My personal preference is for the proportional system of representation, but maybe Mongolia is not ready for it. The state power is in the hands of a few officials and oligarchs. If they are elected, it will become political dictatorship instead of political democracy. It is the same as giving weapons to oligarchs. Parliament will turn into a playground of few oligarchs surrounding party leaders. Thus, the proportional system has to wait.