Mongolia has an elected President, Prime Minister and legislature, with elections every four years, as well as 18 provinces with local governors.

Mongolia was closely aligned with the Soviet Union and the country's political and economic systems reflected this heritage until a fully democratic, multi-party election in 1990 and the completion of a new constitution in 1992 that guarantees human rights and private ownership of property.

In the July 2000 elections, the former ruling communist party - the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) - was returned to power, winning 72 of 76 seats in the legislature. The MPRP continues to promote many reform policies, and it has focused on social welfare and public order priorities. In July 2004, close elections resulted in the formation of a democratic coalition government with the leader of the Democratic Party becoming the Prime Minister.