ADDRESSING more than 3,000 supporters in a packed arena five days before the first round of Mongolia’s presidential election on June 26th, Khaltmaa Battulga, the Democratic Party (DP) nominee, promised the things candidates everywhere tend to promise: modern infrastructure, better jobs and restored national pride. Other pledges were more specific to Mongolia, such as one to secure a fairer shake for nomadic herders. His voice was rough as rawhide, but not because of frenetic speechmaking. It has been rough ever since he sustained throat injuries during a previous career as a judo champion.
His time as a sportsman and a subsequent career as a businessman position the 54-year-old Mr Battulga well for his third calling, politics. Outside the arena, an enthusiastic DP supporter called Byamba says what he likes best about Mr Battulga (pictured above, on the pennant) is his success in business. The other main candidate, Miyegombyn Enkhbold of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), is, he says,...Continue reading
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