News.mn, the first Mongolian news website, names the country’s Top 5 highlights in political, economic and sporting events.

Presidential Election-2017      

On July 7, Mongolians elected a new president: Kh.Battulga of the Democratic Party (DP). In the Mongolia’s first runoff election, Kh.Battulga won 50.6 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating M.Enkhbold of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), which holds a supermajority in parliament. For first time since 1992, Mongolia has held two rounds of voting. Third-party candidate S.Ganbaatar, of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) dropped out after the first round.

The turnout was over 60 percent, but many voters made Tsagaan Songolt (White Choice) or did not circle any name of three candidates. Nearly 18,000 voters left their papers blank in the first round of the election; which increased to 90,000 in the second round.

Ruling MMP replaces Prime Minister

The Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) swept back to power in the parliamentary elections with a landslide victory after winning 85 percent, taking 65 of the 76 seats in the State Great Khural (parliament). However, the ruling party brought down its Cabinet for first time in Mongolian history, but it was 15th Cabinet dissolved since 1992. Named the ‘Professional’ Cabinet led by Prime Minister J.Erdenebat, it was dismissed for alleged incompetence and corruption related to the signing of government contracts with companies linked to three Cabinet members and was responsible the president being defeated in the election. 33 lawmakers from the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) joined with eight members of the Opposition and S.Javkhlan to pass the motion demanding that Prime Minister J.Erdenebat and his 14-month-old Cabinet resign over the granting of contracts worth USD 328 million. U.Khurelsukh became 30th Mongolian Prime Minister and seized leadership of MMP from M.Enkhbold.   

Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC) becomes 100 percent national enterprise

Before the Tsagaan Sar (White Moon), parliament decided to register 100 percent government ownership of Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC). However, the High Court ruling has been issued in Mongolian Copper Corporation’s favour which owns 49 percent of one of the biggest Ore mining and Ore processing factory in Asia. The Mongolian parliament acquired 100 percent ownership of EMC, a Mongolia-Russia joint venture in June, 2016. Before then, the Government of Mongolia owned 51 percent of EMC, and Russia’s Rostech Corporation owned 49 percent.

Long queue of coal trucks in Mongolia’s Gobi

Mongolia’s coal exports reached 19.5 million tonnes in the first half of the year due to ‘black gold’ prices rising following increased global demand. However, China has twice decreased its purchases of coal since July. This resulted in a queue of thousands of heavy-duty trucks loaded up with coal that stretched for 160 kilometers en route to China on a journey that can take over 10 days. Only recently has the Mongolian Cabinet solved the problem of this long queue of coal trucks.

Otgontenger Mountian climbing accident

In October, seventeen Mongolians, including seven women died after being caught in an avalanche on Mount Otgontenger, which is Mongolia’s highest peak. They were among a group of 27 climbers who successfully stood on the highest peak of the Khangai Mountains in Mongolia, which stands 4,021 meters above sea level. Unfortunately, they ran into an avalanche during their descent. The search and rescue operation mounted by the Deputy Prime Minister Ulziisaikhan Enkhtuvshin involved nearly 300 people, 30 engines and two helicopters. A rescue team from the NEMA searched for the missing mountaineers for three days. The bodies of 17 climbers were found in a mountain canyon at an altitude of 3,200-3,450 meters.  This is the deadliest mountain accident in Mongolian history.