The
heads of the two party groups in Parliament — D.Lundeejantsan of the MPRP, and
Ch.Saikhanbileg of the DP – reviewed the just concluded Spring session of
Parliament with journalists. This was the first time in Parliament’s 20-year
history that the heads of the two parties held a joint press conference.

Saikhanbileg
said the effect of many decisions made during the session will become apparent
as time goes by. Lundeejantsan said the Parliament had a full plate and decided
on 130 issues. On several of these, there were major differences between the
two groups, making consensus difficult.

A
few questions and answers are given below.

Was a decision finally
reached on the child money issue?

Ch.Saikhanbileg:
A decision was taken to give MNT10,000 per month to every citizen starting from
August. The amount will be later raised to MNT20,000. True, it is not the old
child money but the result is the same. The name of the scheme is not important
as long as people get money they need, whether it comes from the Human
Development Fund or the state budget. The DP group stands firm on its demand
that the monthly allowance of MNT20,000 will continue to be given even after every
citizen has received the MNT1.5 million promised.

D.Lundeejantsan:
I agree. Since every member of a family will get the money, a family of five
will get MNT 50,000 a month. We decided on monthly payment, to lessen the risks
of inflation and economic overheating.

What happened to the
case of the Anti-Corruption Authority officials?

D.Lundeejantsan:
The Standing Committee on Legislation discussed the matter three times but was
unable to reach a decision. There was no agreement on whether there was enough
material against them to start a criminal case. The MPRP group does not intend
to take sides and wants the law to take its own course. Since the committee
discussions were held behind closed doors, only the head of the committee can
give any detailed information.

Ch.Saikhanbileg:
The DP group has always said the Standing Committee on Legislation should
settle the issue within the 14 days given by law. I do not know what happens
now. Will the director of the Anti-Corruption Authority, D.Sangaragchaa, retain
any authority if he is allowed to continue in his job? He spoke to employees without
permission from the Prosecutor General. Does he command the respect of those
working with him? Parliament must make the right decision, and make it
urgently. The Anti-Corruption Authority is not just an agency. It has a special
moral standing.

Why did Parliament fail to
approve the Parliament Law?

D.Lundeejantsan:
Both parties agreed to change the election system. We prefer to make the whole
country one constituency, with the parties listing their 76 candidates. There
is another option with more constituencies. Both drafts will be discussed by
Parliament. Working groups were established by Standing Committee on Government
Organization and party groups. MPRP group considers 26:50 and 50:26 option. 26
is big majority and 50 is proportional. DP group agreed on 26:50. Talks will
resume.

Ch.Saikhanbileg:
Making one national constituency may make MPs deaf to the voice of voters. So
the working group has suggested more constituencies so that there is  more direct connection between the people and
those they elect. We want 26  of the 76
MPs to be directly elected, one from each province and Ulaanbaatar districts.