New PM confirmed by Mongolian parliament

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After the previous leader and his cabinet were voted out over corruption allegations, the Mongolian parliament confirmed on Wednesday that Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is the country's new prime minister .

All 47 lawmakers present - including members of the opposition Mongolian Democratic Party - unanimously voted for the nominee of the ruling People's Party of Mongolia to become the new head of government.

During his confirmation hearing, the new prime minister vowed to fight the rampant corruption and cronyism among the Mongolian ruling elites and top government officials.

He vowed to root out improper political practices, saying he would strictly demand the implementation of laws and the upholding of the highest ethical standards at all levels of government.

People cycle past the parliament building at Genghis Square in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 27, 2016. /Reuters Photo

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message on Wednesday to Khurelsukh, congratulating him on assuming office as Mongolia's new Prime Minister.

China and Mongolia are close neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, Li said in his message, adding that bilateral relations face significant development opportunities.

The Chinese side attaches great importance to China-Mongolia relations and is ready to join efforts with Mongolia to increase political mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation and exchanges in various fields, so as to push for greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Li said.

Confirmation of Khurelsukh saw conflict within the ruling party. The thirty two lawmakers of the ruling party who did not vote for the dismissal of the previous government boycotted the parliamentary hearing and did not participate in the confirmation.

Jargaltulga Erdenebat, then prime minister of Mongolia, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia on June 1. /Reuters Photo‍

Last month, lawmakers demanded that former Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat resign for allegedly violating parliamentary procedures by granting contracts worth the equivalent of 328 million US dollars to companies linked to three cabinet members.

Khurelsukh began his career as a political specialist at the central committee of the Mongolian People's Party, and served as minister for emergency situations from 2004 to 2006 and party general secretary from 2008 to 2012.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency