I am ready to be replaced
(Before 1990, Mongolia was a country of only one party; Mongolian Democratic Party. After Mongolia choose to convert from Communism to Democracy the Mongolian governmental system also changed.
However, even with new laws allowing a multi party system for the last twenty years, Mongolia was ruled by either the Mongolian Democratic Party or the Democratic Party. No other party has ever been in power. This year, for the second time in Mongolian history, these two parties decided to have joint administration. We interviewed the head of the Democratic Party and the cabinet leader, N.Altanhuyag.)
-The elections will take place in exactly one year from now. There is much speculation about whether the joint administration will make it until then without falling apart.
-Well, that isn’t really up to us. The primary reason for setting up this joint administration was to satisfy the demands of the public. After the 2008 elections a tragic rebellion took place well known as 1st July.
We, my party and I faced a difficult decision. There could be another election that would cause more fury and forestation among people, or we could set a joint administration with the Mongolian Democratic Party. So, the two parties with most votes decided to work together to bring development and financial prosperity to Mongolia.
-As elections come closer parties aim to present each other’s work as their own. The voters will come across difficult decisions as they can’t tell who has done what, don’t you think?
-Both our party and the Mongolian Democratic Party should benefit from the work we have done together. If MDP holds meetings in provinces and presents the work we have done together as theirs only; that is not right.
As for the voters, depending on the proposals we have for the future, they will be able to make their own choice. MDP and DP should present their achievement of the past year, but should also compete with the plans they have for the future. There is much work that DP and MDP couldn’t do together but that DP can do on their own.
-According to the research you have done, what is the popularity of DP? 50% of voters cheer on either DP or MDP, as for the rest, they will give their preferences to minority parties; how realistic is this from your point of view?
-Three sets of research were conducted by independent companies. They all show that DP is slightly more popular that MPD. The difference will be more visible as the election draws nearer. I personally don’t believe that a minor party will be able to collect more votes and govern Mongolia. It is obvious that DP and MDP will be main competitors.
-Why do you think MDP is slightly behind DP?
-Because we are a joint administration no one is leading with great interval. DP tries to compromise as we can’t put our ambitions above the wants of 2.7 million Mongolians. One thing that DP has more advantage on is our financial policies; such as our proposal of using Oyutolgoi, Tavantolgoi, uranium, crude oil and iron.
If I start listing down reasons how DP differs from MDP further, you know what will happen tomorrow? Chaos! There are so many MDP members that want DP out of the picture so they can become some sort of ministers. They will just make matters worse with words like “Look the head of DP is saying his party is better than ours!”
-There are also many members of your party that want this cooperation to fall apart. These groups even tried twice to dismiss the ministers who signed Oyutolgoi. You must struggle a lot trying to find a common language with those who have opposing views?
-I am proud that I am a leader of a party were people don’t raise their hands on my command. We established this party wanting democracy where there could be different views and opinions. When making a decision we consider the majority’s wishes. I have always been like that.
If most feel that Oyutolgoi was a bad deal then I am ready to be replaced and take my responsibility; as I am the cabinet leader and one of three parliament members who signed the agreement.
-You are again representing Mongolia in the Tavantolgoi deal. I hope you understand that after signing that many will use the loop holes in the contract to further damage your political career.
-Maybe. However, I am a person who thinks a lot before doing something. After I made a decision, I don’t go back to reconsidering it.
-Reviews on the joint assembly are very different. The majority of Mongolia is poor and with that comes much despair and fury. Many ask “Where is the justice, is this the democracy you were talking about?”
What would your reply be as the leader of DP?
-Even though, more than a decade ago democracy was introduced, those asking the question elected one main party; MDP. In 17 provinces all of the governing offices are under tight control of this party.
It would have been great if the party that you keep reelecting would bring the justice you want, but it doesn’t. You keep asking where the justice and democracy is. I myself wonder the same thing. Well then, let’s find it together. However, finding it is not only DP’s responsibility. The citizens also should help and vote for the right people.
MDP has not changed a single person in the justice system. However, thanks to the new president from the DP, you can see the changes that were not visible over the last 20 years.
-How close are you to the president elected from your party? How much does he take into consideration you opinion in matters like in replacing the justice system like you mentioned?
-Compared to the previous presidents from MDP, this president is very different. So is the party that supported his candidacy. Ts. Elbegdorj is a democratic president from a democratic party. Therefore, our relationship is also democratic.
As he is at the moment directing the strategies of the country, he cannot be biased. He has to treat MDP and DP equally.
-Prime Minister S. Bayar has to be replaced due to ill health a year ago. In this joint admission you are now working with your second prime minister from MDP. Whom it is easier to find common language with? -I am not going to comment on the subject of with whom I have arguments. The two parties are working together for the development of the country. Therefore, there should be no other discussion topics amongst us.
However, even with new laws allowing a multi party system for the last twenty years, Mongolia was ruled by either the Mongolian Democratic Party or the Democratic Party. No other party has ever been in power. This year, for the second time in Mongolian history, these two parties decided to have joint administration. We interviewed the head of the Democratic Party and the cabinet leader, N.Altanhuyag.)
-The elections will take place in exactly one year from now. There is much speculation about whether the joint administration will make it until then without falling apart.
-Well, that isn’t really up to us. The primary reason for setting up this joint administration was to satisfy the demands of the public. After the 2008 elections a tragic rebellion took place well known as 1st July.
We, my party and I faced a difficult decision. There could be another election that would cause more fury and forestation among people, or we could set a joint administration with the Mongolian Democratic Party. So, the two parties with most votes decided to work together to bring development and financial prosperity to Mongolia.
-As elections come closer parties aim to present each other’s work as their own. The voters will come across difficult decisions as they can’t tell who has done what, don’t you think?
-Both our party and the Mongolian Democratic Party should benefit from the work we have done together. If MDP holds meetings in provinces and presents the work we have done together as theirs only; that is not right.
As for the voters, depending on the proposals we have for the future, they will be able to make their own choice. MDP and DP should present their achievement of the past year, but should also compete with the plans they have for the future. There is much work that DP and MDP couldn’t do together but that DP can do on their own.
-According to the research you have done, what is the popularity of DP? 50% of voters cheer on either DP or MDP, as for the rest, they will give their preferences to minority parties; how realistic is this from your point of view?
-Three sets of research were conducted by independent companies. They all show that DP is slightly more popular that MPD. The difference will be more visible as the election draws nearer. I personally don’t believe that a minor party will be able to collect more votes and govern Mongolia. It is obvious that DP and MDP will be main competitors.
-Why do you think MDP is slightly behind DP?
-Because we are a joint administration no one is leading with great interval. DP tries to compromise as we can’t put our ambitions above the wants of 2.7 million Mongolians. One thing that DP has more advantage on is our financial policies; such as our proposal of using Oyutolgoi, Tavantolgoi, uranium, crude oil and iron.
If I start listing down reasons how DP differs from MDP further, you know what will happen tomorrow? Chaos! There are so many MDP members that want DP out of the picture so they can become some sort of ministers. They will just make matters worse with words like “Look the head of DP is saying his party is better than ours!”
-There are also many members of your party that want this cooperation to fall apart. These groups even tried twice to dismiss the ministers who signed Oyutolgoi. You must struggle a lot trying to find a common language with those who have opposing views?
-I am proud that I am a leader of a party were people don’t raise their hands on my command. We established this party wanting democracy where there could be different views and opinions. When making a decision we consider the majority’s wishes. I have always been like that.
If most feel that Oyutolgoi was a bad deal then I am ready to be replaced and take my responsibility; as I am the cabinet leader and one of three parliament members who signed the agreement.
-You are again representing Mongolia in the Tavantolgoi deal. I hope you understand that after signing that many will use the loop holes in the contract to further damage your political career.
-Maybe. However, I am a person who thinks a lot before doing something. After I made a decision, I don’t go back to reconsidering it.
-Reviews on the joint assembly are very different. The majority of Mongolia is poor and with that comes much despair and fury. Many ask “Where is the justice, is this the democracy you were talking about?”
What would your reply be as the leader of DP?
-Even though, more than a decade ago democracy was introduced, those asking the question elected one main party; MDP. In 17 provinces all of the governing offices are under tight control of this party.
It would have been great if the party that you keep reelecting would bring the justice you want, but it doesn’t. You keep asking where the justice and democracy is. I myself wonder the same thing. Well then, let’s find it together. However, finding it is not only DP’s responsibility. The citizens also should help and vote for the right people.
MDP has not changed a single person in the justice system. However, thanks to the new president from the DP, you can see the changes that were not visible over the last 20 years.
-How close are you to the president elected from your party? How much does he take into consideration you opinion in matters like in replacing the justice system like you mentioned?
-Compared to the previous presidents from MDP, this president is very different. So is the party that supported his candidacy. Ts. Elbegdorj is a democratic president from a democratic party. Therefore, our relationship is also democratic.
As he is at the moment directing the strategies of the country, he cannot be biased. He has to treat MDP and DP equally.
-Prime Minister S. Bayar has to be replaced due to ill health a year ago. In this joint admission you are now working with your second prime minister from MDP. Whom it is easier to find common language with? -I am not going to comment on the subject of with whom I have arguments. The two parties are working together for the development of the country. Therefore, there should be no other discussion topics amongst us.
Comments
Post a Comment