August 29, 2024
ULAANBAATAR – B. Jagar, Chairman of the Good Democratic Unity Party, and Ts. Oyungerel, Chairman of the Citizens’ Participation Unity Party, held a press conference today to express their strong opposition to the government’s recent decision to increase energy prices by 30%. They announced that they would be submitting a formal demand to the Prime Minister, urging a reversal of this decision.
In the government’s meeting on August 21, it was decided to deregulate energy prices and implement a 30% increase. This decision will worsen the living standards of citizens and increase inflation. It was a short-sighted decision.
People are oppressed by high bank interest rates, taxes, social insurances, and high government spending. We have not been able to recover from the pressure of price increases that increased dramatically during the pandemic. In recent years, the government has increased spending excessively and increased its external debt. Transport took advantage of the logistics crisis and kept the economy in the hands of a few monopolies. Many small businesses went bankrupt, and the income of ordinary people decreased accordingly.
However, we are against economic repression. Therefore, it is necessary to stop the theft that causes the budget deficit and to review the Permit Law. This law stifled small businesses. Citizens are required to be given a favorable opportunity to run their business freely.
The mistake of exempting a few monopolies from taxation should be corrected, the VAT rate should be lowered, the continuous use of energy in energy reform, and the problem of large consumers should be solved as a priority. However, they are going to increase the price of electricity and put the burden on the citizens. This is an ill-timed policy, so the reforms should be postponed.
They also said that they will submit their demands to the leaders of the Mongolian People’s Party, the Democratic Party and the HUN Party.