Democratic Party (DP) Chairman N. Altankhuyag announced Thursday that he would withdraw his party from the coalition government led by Prime Minister S. Batbold.  Altankhuyag, also the country's first deputy prime minister, made the announcement during the regular weekly news conference held with the party leaders.

“I have informed the prime minister about the decision to pull out from the coalition,” said Altankhuyag. “We will work with the prime minister until he finds replacements for the ministers and cabinet members from the [DP].”

Altankhuyag attributed the decision to the election campaign of the DP for the parliamentary and local council elections to be held in June 2012. The current coalition government led by Batbold, who is also chairman of the ruling Mongolian People's Party, was formed following the post-election riot on 1 July 2008. Six members of the DP are working as cabinet members and ministers of the government.

“By having a coalition government, Mongolia was able to have a stable political life and overcome the global financial and economic crisis with less damage,” Altankhuyag said. “Now we believe the [DP] has fulfilled its historic role and it is time to pull out from the coalition government.”

The party's decision will have to be validated by the party's National Consultative Committee meeting, the ruling body of the DP.