Mongolia votes for new president amid COVID outbreak

Ukhnaa Khurelsukh of the Mongolian People’s Party, which holds a strong majority in parliament, is seen as the frontrunner. Former Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh of the Mongolian People’s Party, which holds a strong majority in parliament, is seen as the frontrunner. The MPP also controls the cabinet, and Khurelsukh’s biggest rival, Sodnomzunduin Erdene of the much-weakened Democratic Party, has said that a victory by Khurelsukh would threaten Mongolia with dictatorship. “I hope Enkhbat will focus on young people – young people like me are voting for Enkhbat and old people are voting for Khurelsukh.” Tamir Ider, a 33-year-old carpenter, told AFP he had returned a blank ballot because he did not think any candidate had good policies for the country, and he wanted Battulga to serve another term. “I really hope that the new president I chose today will improve Mongolia’s reputation abroad and bring in more foreign investment,“ Munkhjargal said.