In a historic move following a week of deadly protests and political chaos, Nepal has appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as its first female Prime Minister. The landmark appointment is a direct result of a youth-led uprising that forced the resignation of her predecessor and exposed a deep-seated public fury over corruption and political elitism.
The unrest, dubbed the “Gen Z protests,” began after the government of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli instituted a controversial ban on social media platforms. The ban served as a final spark, igniting widespread rage over systemic corruption and the flaunting of wealth by politicians’ families in one of the world’s poorest countries. The protests quickly escalated into violence, leaving dozens dead, and saw demonstrators set fire to government buildings, including the parliament and the prime minister’s residence.
With the country on the brink, President Ram Chandra Poudel, along with the army chief, entered into negotiations with representatives of the protesting youth. Their demand was clear: a neutral figure to lead an interim government and dissolve the parliament to make way for new elections. Their choice, Sushila Karki, was a name that resonated with a populace weary of entrenched political parties.
Sushila Karki, 73, is a widely respected figure known for her fierce independence and a career marked by a hardline stance against corruption. As Nepal’s first female Chief Justice in 2016, she made a name for herself by taking on high-profile cases and ruling against powerful ministers and police officials. Her appointment as interim prime minister has been hailed by many as a step toward restoring public trust in a government long seen as self-serving and out of touch. She will be tasked with the daunting challenge of healing a fractured nation, addressing the protesters’ demands for accountability, and holding elections within six months.
While her appointment has been widely praised by a hopeful public, the road ahead remains uncertain. The deep political fissures that led to the unrest have not disappeared, and the new government’s ability to navigate them will be the ultimate test of its success.