In Mongolia, significant political changes have unfolded following reforms that opened the door for outsiders to enter the national parliament. Saranchuluun Otgon, one of the country’s first two lawmakers with a disability, highlighted these shifts during a tour of Ulaanbaatar with the city’s mayor to assess accessibility last year. The experience underscored for her how much Mongolia’s political landscape has evolved.

However, Otgon also expressed a sense of distance from those in power, stating that the "people in power seemed too far to reach." This sentiment reflects ongoing challenges as Mongolia’s new-look parliament navigates the complexities of old-style party politics and a new push to tighten political rules.

These developments illustrate the tension between reform efforts aimed at inclusivity and the persistence of traditional political dynamics within Mongolia’s government.

Sources:

  • Nikkei Asia, "Mongolia's new-look parliament runs into old-style party politics," August 6, 2026

Photo by Byamba-Ochir Byambasuren