At its regular meeting on Monday, the MPP caucus discussed two proposed amendments to the Constitution that were submitted to Parliament last week.

MPP caucus chairman U.Enkhtuvshin told journalists that the Constitution cannot be amended within six months of an election, which means there is little time remaining for the amendments to be ratified.
The first proposed amendment would allow one-third of the members of the Government to also serve as MPs.

The second would require soum governors to be elected by soum residents. Administration unit chiefs would be appointed by soum governors. Aimag governors would be appointed by consent of the prime minister and the head of the aimag’s Civil Representatives Assembly. Also, district governors would be appointed by the mayor of Ulaanbaatar and khoroo governors would be appointed by district governors.

MPP caucus members approved the first proposed amendment but suggested several changes in the second.

U.Enkhtuvshin explained that the Constitution Court has suggested changes in the second proposed amendment. He also said the suggestions of managing officials in local settlements should be considered. He also said the issue should be studied by lawyers. After that study, he said, the proposed amendment could be discussed.
Regarding the first proposed amendment, U.Enkhtuvshin told our correspondent that the Constitution currently allows all members of the Government to also hold seats in Parliament. He said that number should be reduced.

The MPP and DP caucuses will try to pass one or both amendments before the end of December.  If Parliament doesn’t take action on the proposed amendments, they will be held over for the next Parliament.