The DP caucus discussed 11 issues on Monday, including several draft laws. The caucus discussed a draft law on Government responsibilities that allocates MNT 172 billion to the Government for increasing salaries and pensions sooner than previously scheduled. Members said the draft law violates the Constitution because it conflicts with the law on the state budget, which governs budget income and expenditures. DP caucus chairman Ch.Saikhanbileg said instability could result if the draft law is passed. The caucus decided that capital for salary and pension increases should be submitted in the form of a revised budget.

The caucus also discussed a Government bond issue of MNT 300 billion and approved it for further discussion. Members also discussed a draft law on local settlement elections and decided to discuss it later with a similar draft law submitted by the DP caucus. The caucus is waiting for the Government’s opinion on the draft law.

After the meeting, Ch.Saikhanbileg answered journalists’ questions about holding parliamentary and local settlement elections simultaneously. He noted that legislation to run the two elections at same time is still valid. He said the law will not be changed, if the DP caucus is at Parliament. He added that amendments to the law on local settlement elections will not be approved by the caucus. But he did say that the DP caucus is open to discussing controversial issues concerning the laws on parliamentary and local settlement elections.