The Mongolian People’s Party: A Glossary

By Marissa J. Smith

As demonstrated by the still-unfolding process of presenting a new Prime Minister for confirmation by the Ikh Khural, it has become difficult to follow Mongolian politics without an understanding of the internal structure and processes of the now again super-dominant Mongolian People’s Party.

In his Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire, Christopher Atwood summarizes the socialist era-MPRP’s structure and relationships: “Despite the party congresses, at no time did the party’s membership actually exercise control over the leadership. While the congresses supposedly elected the Central Committee, which in turn elected a small standing body called either the presidium or (after 1940) the political bureau (or Politburo), all elections were decided beforehand by the existing leaders.” (Atwood 2004, 381)

Other references are to Alan J. K. Sanders’ Historical Dictionary of Mongolia, 2017, pgs. 559-577.

The Executive Council (Удирдах Зөвлөл)

As noted by Sanders, this body was formerly known as the “Presidium” (Төв Хорооный Тэргүүлэгчид). Sanders refers to the post-March 1992 incarnation as the “Leadership Council.” “Steering Council” is another English translation. The “Politburo” (Улс Төрийн Товчоо) ceased to exist in 1990 (though four of the five members of the “Politburo” transitioned to become four of the five members of the new “Presidium”).

The number of members has varied but steadily increased from approximately ten members in the 1990s to over twenty in the late 2000s. At the time of writing, i.e. the selection of G. Zandanshatar for submission to the General Assembly for approval on June 8, there are thirty-two members (news.mn).

General Assembly (Бага Хурал)

This party structure was formerly referred to as the “Central Committee” (Төв Хороо). “Бага Хурал” literally translates to “small council.” Sanders refers to it as the “Little Khural.” It includes three hundred and thirty-three members, according to this article in itoim.mn, while this article from gogo.mn states that at the meeting in March 2024 (just prior to the 2024 Parliamentary Elections), there were four hundred and seventy nine members (thank you for pointing this out, Manlai Chonos!). The Baga Khural approved Zandanshatar’s nomination on June 9 and it has now moved to the floor of the Parliament.

Party Congresses ([Намын] Их Хурал)

According to Sanders (2017, 563) the Congress of all members of the Party elect the chairman (дарга) and the Baga Khural. The Baga Khural, in turn, elects the Executive Council. The last of these meetings was held in 2021, naming L. Oyun-Erdene as party Chairman. During the socialist period, Party Congresses met every five years and confirmed Five-Year Plans. Oyun-Erdene’s “Vision” plans are a descendant form of these.