Chimediin Saikhanbileg

Chimediin Saikhanbileg Чимэдийн Сайханбилэг
Prime Minister of Mongolia
In office 21 November 2014 – 7 July 2016
President	Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj
Preceded by	Dendeviin Terbishdagva (Acting)
Succeeded by	Jargaltulgyn Erdenebat
Personal details
Born	17 February 1969 Dornod, Mongolia
Political party	Democratic Party
Alma mater	National University of Mongolia Moscow State University George Washington University
Religion	Buddhism

Chimediin Saikhanbileg (Mongolian: Чимэдийн Сайханбилэг; born 17 February 1969) was the Prime Minister of Mongolia from 2014 to 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, Saikhanbileg was appointed prime minister following a motion of no confidence, and was tasked with improving Mongolia's slowing economy and foreign investment.

Biography

Saikhanbileg was born in 1969 in Dornod, Mongolia.^[1] He attended university in Mongolia (National University of Mongolia), Russia (Moscow State University) and the United States (George Washington University).^[2] He worked for a legal firm prior to entering politics.^[3] Saikhanbileg is able to bench press 175 kilograms (385 lb).^[4][5]

Political career

The Oyu Tolgoi mine has been a major political issue during Saikhanbileg's term

Saikhanbileg joined the Democratic Party, having been president of the Mongolian Youth Federation from 1997 to 2002.^[6] From 2008 to 2012, he served as the leader of the Democratic caucus in parliament.^[1] Prior to being appointed Prime Minister Saikhanbileg was Mongolia's Minister of Education.^[2] He became Prime Minister on 21 November 2014, succeeding the acting Prime Minister, who took office following the 5 November no-confidence vote, which saw Norovyn Altankhuyag removed from office.^[7] Saikhanbileg's appointment to Prime Minister was opposed by the Mongolian People's Party (MPP), on the grounds that as a cabinet minister, he was part of the group of politicians who "overlooked growing economic problems." The MPP refused to participate in the vote, and Saikhanbileg was elected by a vote of 42-2.^[3]

Saikhanbileg's major task as Prime Minister has been to improve foreign investment in Mongolia, which took a dramatic turn for the worse in 2013, when Rio Tinto halted expansion at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in the Ömnögovi Province. Foreign investment fell nearly US$4 billion between 2012 and 2015.^[4] In 2015 Saikhanbileg called for a "text-message referendum", polling the country for their opinion on major mining projects. When asked if the country should try to get out of financial trouble by support mining projects through investment, or cut costs, approximately 56% supported investment.^[8]

References

1. "Saikhanbileg Elected Prime Minister | Mongolia Focus". blogs.ubc.ca. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
2. "President Introduced the Nominee for the Prime Minister to the Parliament". Office of the President of Mongolia. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
3. "Struggling Mongolia picks new premier". Deutsche Welle. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
4. Kohn, Michael (5 April 2015). "Mongolia's Leader Takes to TV and Texting to Win Back Investment". Bloomberg. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
5. Tungalag, B (20 January 2014). "Politicians win powerlifing competition". UB Post. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
6. "Chimed SAIKHANBILEG". State Great Hural. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
7. Edwards, Terrence; Stanway, David (21 November 2014). "Saikhanbileg appointed as new Mongolian prime minister". Reuters. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
8. Edwards, Terrence (4 February 2015). "UPDATE 1-Mongolian "text referendum" backs mine investment over austerity". Reuters. Retrieved 5 April 2015.