Ultimatum in Mongolia

Protesters have issued an ultimatum to the Mongolian government.

The Mongolian opposition has increased its demonstrations in the capital Ulan Bator. The protesters have set May 13th as the deadline for the government to resign.

Thousands of opposition supporters, who gathered in Sukh Bator Square in the center of the capital, have called on the government to resign by May 13th or threatened they will take over the administration by force.

A presidential election is scheduled for May 22.

UPDATE: I posted this in a rush last night and forgot to mention that from what I know of Mongolia, this shouldn’t be called a struggle for democracy so much as a demand for governmental accountability by an increasingly educated public with rising expecations. See this comment for more info.

Basically, the JSCM was started by the emerging wave of young Mongolians returning home after getting education in the West.

Once back, they discover that the rampant corruption, political nepotism, established business/government/family networks make their knowledge and skills irrelevant.

They learn that making career in the government service requires connections and bribes, and building up an own business will take few years and much investment. No space for newcomers… Meanwhile, politics offer a cheap and easy way to manifest own aspirations.

In a way, JSCM guys question and challenge the status quo: “Look, we are here! And we [and you] have got a problem! Solve it or we will keep pressuring you” is their message to the both MDC and MPRP elites.