ASIA/MONGOLIA - Results of legislative elections announced

Ulaanbaator (Fides Service) - After some days of protests, the general elections commission has announced the results of parliamentary elections in Mongolia held ten days ago. The Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP), which governed this country satellite of the Soviet Union for 75 years won 36 of the 76 seats in parliament. The Opposition led by the Motherland Democratic Coalition (MDC) won only 34. But the final result and formation of a government has still to be settled considering the Opposition’s request for a re-count of ballots in three electoral sections.
Observers say that while the MPRP governed for the past four years, with this election it is likely that the MDC will be called to govern thanks to support of other MPs elected who have declared themselves independent.
Many analysts agree that to face the problem of widespread poverty and to revive the economy in Mongolia where half of the 2.7 million people are nomad farmers, the country will need a government of national unity which will bring together all the social, economic and political components to work for the prosperity and modernisation of the country.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/7/2004 lines 18 words 186)