Mongolia's new president may push nationalistic policy

Subject

The recent presidential election in Mongolia.

Significance

With the victory of Khaltmaa Battulga in the presidential election on July 7, the Democratic Party (DP) has held onto the presidency. The legislature and cabinet remain in the hands of the rival Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). The election of an MPP president would have signalled continuity and stability; a Battulga win introduces uncertainty.

Impacts

• Battulga may push to scale back austerity and provide the public with more immediate benefits from the resources sector.
• Despite the anti-Chinese sentiment evident during Battulga's election campaign, he is more likely to be pragmatic than confrontational.
• Battulga may use the presidency's foreign policy powers to reach out to Russia.