• U.S.

Mongolia Sudden Conversion

2 minute read
TIME

The leaders of Mongolia’s Communist Party have been slow to put their faith in shinechiel (renewal). But once convinced, they have proved fervent converts. Last week the party that has ruled the remote republic for 66 years abolished its monopoly on power, promised multiparty elections by year’s end and replaced the entire five-member Politburo with a younger, more progressive slate. Said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tepbishiin Chimeddorj: “This is the beginning of real change.”

The overnight revolution in Mongolia was an astonishing victory for the country’s nascent opposition, which went public with its campaign for democratization only three months ago. The forces of dissent have multiplied rapidly, fed by popular discontent over economic stagnation, communist autocracy and domination by Moscow. Recently, the government of President Jambyn Batmonh has loosened up, allowing joint ventures with Western companies, for example. But the pace of change was too sluggish for the regime’s critics, whose demonstrations brought thousands into the streets.

When protesters began a hunger strike last week, Communist leaders gave in to nearly all of the opposition’s demands. In an emergency session, the party’s Central Committee replaced Batmonh, 63, as Politburo chief, with Gombojavyn Ochirbat, 61, a former head of the Mongolian trade union federation who was ousted in 1982, presumably having angered the leadership. Joining him in the new Politburo are four other reform-minded officials, all in their 40s.

Most Central Committee members over the age of 60, or about half the total of 174, have offered to resign in anticipation of an extraordinary party congress scheduled for next month that will select a new President. Both Batmonh and Prime Minister Dumaagiyn Sodnom, 56, have reportedly volunteered to quit their government posts when the People’s Great Hural, Mongolia’s parliament, next convenes. The government has also agreed to include the opposition in a commission that is to draft a new constitution.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com