Earlier today, 7 December, the Mongolian State Great Khural (parliament) overruled the latest presidential veto on the 2017 budget amendment. A total of 82.4 percent of the MP’s present in the chamber backed the decision of the two standing committees to reject the veto.

Kh.Battulga, the President of Mongolia, vetoed spending plans in the 2018 State Budget law which had been approved by parliament. The bill was backed by the State Great Khural (parliament) on 14 November, thus becoming law. 

According to the 2018 State Budget law, the revenue projection is MNT 5.2 billion with expenditure at MNT 7.7 billion with a deficit amounting to MNT2.5 billion – or 9.5 percent of GDP.

Previously, President Battulga fully vetoed amendments to the laws on the 2017 State Budget and the law on the Social Insurance Fund which had been approved by parliament. However, the lawmakers overruled the President’s veto.

President Battulga, a prominent member of the Democratic Party, faces a tougher time than his predecessor, Ts.Elbegdorj, who for most of his presidency served with a ‘friendly’ DP legislature; currently parliament is dominated by the Mongolian People’s Party.