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1. Mongolia’s Political System
On January 13, 1992, the Parliament adopted a new constitution. The Constitution also
restructured the legislative branch of the government by creating a unicameral parliamentary
legislature. The Constitution was put into force on February 12, 1992 and amended in 1999
and 2001.
The Parliament of Mongolia is referred to as the State Great Khural, which is the
highest organ of state power. The Parliament consists of 76 members appointed for a term of
four years. The last parliamentary election was held on June 28, 2012 and the next
parliamentary election is expected to be held in June 2016. The Parliament confirms the
appointment of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers. The Parliament has the power to
draft legislation, enact and amend laws, approve the annual budget, approve foreign and
domestic policies, declare states of emergency and war and ratify international treaties and
agreements.
The President is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces and head of
the National Security Council. The President is second in authority to the 76-member
Parliament. Presidential candidates are nominated by political parties that have at least one seat
in the Parliament. Presidents are elected by absolute majority vote to serve a four-year term
and are limited to serving two terms. The President is empowered by the Constitution to submit
a proposal for the nomination of the Prime Minister, which is then subject to approval by the
Parliament, call for dissolution of the Cabinet, initiate legislation and veto all or parts of
legislation passed by the Parliament. The President may also confirm appointments of judges,
appoint ambassadors, grant pardons and enter into international treaties.
The Prime Minister is the head of the executive branch. The Prime Minister nominated
by the ruling party is proposed by the President and confirmed by the Parliament. The Prime
Minister chooses the members of the Cabinet, subject to the Parliament’s approval. The Cabinet
appoints and removes Deputy Ministers on the basis of the proposal of the Prime Minister and
the relevant Minister. The Cabinet is the highest executive body of Mongolia. The Cabinet is
in place for a four-year term or a shorter term when it is dissolved upon either resignation of
the Prime Minister, simultaneous resignation of half of the Cabinet or parliamentary vote for
dissolution. The Cabinet and its ministries are accountable to the Parliament. The main function
of the Cabinet is to implement the laws of Mongolia, in accordance with its duties to direct
economic, social and cultural development of Mongolia. The Cabinet is currently composed of
16 ministries, which carry out the Cabinet’s various programs and projects and formulate
policies in their relevant areas.