Mongolian PM fired by parliament, leading to govt collapse

ULAN BATOR - Mongolian lawmakers voted on Wednesday to dismiss Prime Minister Altankhuyag Norov for incompetence, cronyism and corruption.

Out of 66 lawmakers who was present during the full parliament session, 36,including lawmakers of his own party, voted for dismissal of the parliament.

Altankhuyag came under criticism for incompetence and cronyism and corruption by opposition Mongolian People's Party (MPP) and some factions within his party -- the Mongolian Democratic Party (MDP).

Currently one of his senior aides is under investigation by the country's anti-corruption body, Independent Agency Against Corruption.

MPP lawmaker Khayankhyarvaa Damdin said "because of the policy mistakes of (the) so-called reform government, the country's economic growth, which was 17.5 percent two years ago, decreased every year and now it looks it will be 6.3 percent."

The opposition also blames Altankhuyag for allowing embezzlement by his relatives and aides.

"Criminal actions which involve the prime minister's senior aide, assistant, son-in-law and daughter have been investigated by the anti-corruption agency and other relevant bodies," said Khayankhyarvaa.

Zorigt Munkhchuluun, an MDP member, also backed the dismissal of the prime minister, He put a paper on his desk with the words saying "I will not support father-in-law of Denzen".

Altankhuyag's senior deputy, Terbishdagva Dendev, will serve as acting prime minister before a new premier is appointed., and all current ministers will work as acting ministers till a new cabinet is formed.