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Nepal appoints its first female prime minister after protests
Nepal has sworn in Sushila Karki as its first female prime minister, following a week of violent demonstrations that toppled the previous government and led to the dissolution of parliament.
Karki, formerly Nepal’s first female chief justice, took office on Friday evening. She will head an interim government until elections scheduled for March 2026. Known for her uncompromising stance against corruption, Karki was nominated by representatives of the so-called Gen Z movement, which mobilized massive protests earlier this week.
The unrest began after a controversial ban on social media, which triggered widespread anger among young citizens already frustrated with corruption and nepotism in politics. Demonstrations escalated into the deadliest in the nation’s history, with police using live ammunition and killing at least 21 civilians.
As violence spread, protesters set fire to parliament and senior officials’ residences, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. With no clear leadership among demonstrators, representatives were invited to negotiate the country’s political future. They proposed Karki as interim leader, demanding the dissolution of parliament.
Although some political parties resisted, the army chief warned of a possible state of emergency if no solution was reached. Eventually, leaders agreed to appoint Karki and dissolve parliament. Elections have been set for March 5, 2026.
Gen Z representatives now call for investigations into corruption allegations against former officials and inquiries into the deaths of protesters. Many see Karki’s appointment as the beginning of a transition from turmoil toward reform.