Former Health Minister L.Gundalai answers questions on the political scene and the state of affairs in the Democratic Parrty.

How was the rotational election in Khuvsgul province?

There was a strong competition with nine people fighting for four seats. Happily they fought on issues, and there was no dispute and no charge of any malpractice.

Who won?

A former director of the civil representatives’ assembly, B.Ganbat, was elected to the National Consulting Bureau. The other three are new faces. Narantuya, Batsaikhan and Batchuluun are all young.

In UB, Altangadas and Mongolian Democratic Union were divided and held parallel elections. How was it in the countryside?

There was no such thing in Khuvsgul. The DP there does not have two directors and two seal bearers as in some places in UB. There are no factional divisions in Khuvsgul. The election was held very much according to rules and, as I said, without acrimony. But the meeting continued for the whole night because many people wanted to say many things.

What were the criticisms mainly about?

Opinions were expressed freely. People in the countryside are not very happy about DP being in the Government and much of the criticism was about this. They felt that without a coalition, the MPRP alone would have been blamed during the 2012 elections for failure to give MNT1.5 million to citizens. But in the present situation, the DP will have to share the blame. Many fear that the MPRP will make DP the scapegoat when election time comes.

Are you also against the coalition?

Not in principle but I want them to perform appropriately. However, I do believe the Government is working as hard as it can and an MPRP Government would have been better. Yes, there are also things to criticize. Of course, the MPRP proposed the coalition so that DP would keep quiet about the July 1 incidents, be equally responsible for not keeping election promises, and not create problems for the Oyutolgoi agreement.  But I also believe the DP victory in the Presidential election was a result of it being in the coalition. Nevertheless, the chances are that the DP will suffer more for the Government’s mistakes during the 2012 election than will the MPRP.

Have the rotational elections changed the respective strengths of the factions in the DP?

Both the Altangadas and the Mongolian Democratic Union factions are so focused on improving their strength in party forums that they forget where the actual fight is. They are so busy criticizing each other that they overlook mistakes made by the MPRP and the Government.

How can the infighting be stopped?

Unless there is a rapprochement, the bickering will end only when one faction becomes strong enough to crush the other. The party leader must be neutral, wise and strong and persuade them to work together. I think giving more authority to regional units is wrong.

Why?

During the last election, members locally elected became candidates for Parliament and most of them lost. The regional units did not make the right decision. 

Which system is better for the next election?

I think proportional representation would be the best.

Wouldn’t that make it even easier for people closer to the party leader to become MPs?

Yes, it will. A party leader would have increased power and responsibility and will need to be good and strong. But If we keep on with the present system, nothing will change. Money will count for more than principle. Only the richer candidates will win. Those who have the most mining licenses will win. Foreign influence will control Parliament.