The MPP caucus nominated new ministers on Monday to fill the vacancies created by the DP’s withdrawal from the coalition government.

The MPP Managing Council decided to keep the coalition government structure and to appoint three ministers (finance; defense; and road, transportation and urban development) from the caucus and three ministers (first deputy premier; health minister; and nature, environment and tourism minister) from outside parliament.

President Ts.Elbegdorj also suggested cutting some ministerial and agency posts to reduce costs. But the Managing Council rejected that suggestion because, officially, the Government has not resigned, since that would require the resignation of the premier and at least 50 percent of the cabinet. The DP’s withdrawal required the resignation of only 40 percent of the cabinet.

The MPP caucus considered S.Byambatsogt, Ch.Ulaan, Chief of the Standing Committee on Budget D.Khayankhyarvaa, and Ts.Davaasuren for finance minister. Ts.Davaasuren refused the nomination. D.Khayankhyarvaa was nominated.

Ts.Dashdorj, Kh.Badelkhan, R.Bud, N.Ganbyamba, Kh.Badamsuren, and R.Rash were considered for road, transportation and urban development minister. R.Rash refused the nomination. Ts.Dashdorj was nominated.

J.Enkhbayar, Ts.Batbayar, D.Zagdjav, Kh.Jekei, B.Bat-Erdene, D.Arvin, E.Munkh-Ochir, and D.Odbayar were considered for defense minister. B.Bat-Erdene, D.Arvin, E.Munkh-Ochir, and D.Odbayar refused the nomination. J.Enkhbayar was nominated.
MPP Chairman and Prime Minister S.Batbold made recommendations for first deputy premier, health minister, and nature, environment and tourism minister, and the caucus nominated MPP Secretary General U.Khurelsukh for first deputy premier, former Secretary State of the Health Ministry N.Khurelbaatar for health minister, and former Secretary State of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry D.Tsogtbaatar for nature, environment and tourism minister. D.Tsogtbaatar recently resigned to run in the 2012 parliamentary election.