Mongolian Democratic Party to form coalition govt

By sagarmedia on June 30, 2012 | 

2012-06-30 08:22:33 – ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA .Sagar Media Inc;
The main opposition Mongolian Democratic Party, or MDP, is expected to become the largest force in the country’s parliament. It took the most votes but failed to gain a majority in Thursday’s general election.The pro-free market party is expected to soon begin talks with other parties to form a coalition government.
The election commission said that with 97 percent of the votes counted on Friday afternoon, the MDP had won about 32 percent, followed by the ruling Mongolian People’s Party, or MPP, with 28 percent.
The breakaway party from the MPP, the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party, or MPRP, led by former president Nambaryn Enkhbayar, garnered about 20 percent of total vote. MDP has secured 20 seats . The MPP has 15, and the MPRP 4.
The final results will not be known for a while as 28 seats for the proportional representation constituencies have yet to be allocated.
Davaa Batbayar, a candidate from the MDP who was called Kyokushuzan when he was a sumo wrestler in Japan, lost his bid.Retired Yokozuna grand champion Asashoryu’s
elder brother Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar, from the MPP, lost despite support from his younger brother.
From the Office of the President of Mongolia: The following is a statement released by Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj to international journalists and organizations observing Mongolia’s seventh parliamentary election upon the conclusion of voting:
“I am proud that the people of Mongolia have cast their ballots today in the seventh free and fair national parliamentary elections since our revolution. On the heels of these elections, we have moved further down the path of democracy and progress for this great nation.
As the democratic anchor of the East, Mongolia has an obligation to our people and to our global allies to continue on the course of expanding freedom and opportunity for all. The votes of our citizens in this week’s elections serve as a reminder that our people hold their leaders accountable for their actions, and that continuing to eliminate corruption, promoting transparency and building economic success for all Mongolians remain national priorities.
To best serve the interests of our people and to advance our global role as a stable democracy, members of all political parties must work together to ensure that Mongolia will meet the challenges of the 21st century. This objective is critical, as only cooperative governance will ensure a proper standard of living for our people, and opportunities for generations to come.
I urge the members of the new parliament to work together to ensure the sustainability of our nation’s precious resources as we pursue meaningful economic opportunities that these assets offer all Mongolians.
Today is a great day in Mongolia’s history. We should be justifiably proud of completing another free and fair election. However, we cannot forget the tremendous, important work that lies before us. I am committed to working closely with the new parliament, civil society groups, business and community leaders to move Mongolia forward. I truly believe that in doing so our people will reap the rewards for themselves and their children that their hopes, votes, and their voices have brought them.”