Nepal has recently appointed its first female prime minister following a significant week marked by widespread youth demonstrations that led to the resignation of her predecessor and the dissolution of parliament.
Sushila Karki, previously the chief justice of Nepal, took her oath of office late on Friday after intense negotiations. She will oversee an interim government until new elections are held in March next year.
Karki, a respected figure known for her stringent stance against corruption, was nominated by a group representing the youth activists who were instrumental in bringing down the previous government. Tens of thousands of protesters, predominantly under 30, filled the streets on Monday, voicing their discontent over a poorly enforced ban on social media and broader issues such as corruption and nepotism within the political elite of Nepal.
The authorities responded with excessive force, including the use of live ammunition, resulting in the deaths of twenty-one civilians during what became the deadliest protest day in Nepal’s history. By Tuesday, public outrage had escalated, leading to the burning of government buildings and the residences of key officials, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who was evacuated by military personnel and resigned by Tuesday afternoon.
Oli’s departure, viewed by many as a response to his authoritarian governance and disconnect from the populace, was celebrated by the young protesters. However, the rapid downfall of the government highlighted the lack of a unified leadership among the demonstrators, who had not organized into a coherent group.
Following discussions with the president and army chief, the youth activists were invited to participate in forming the next government. They selected Karki as their candidate for the interim leadership and called for the dissolution of the current parliament.
Karki, who became Nepal’s first female chief justice in 2016, gained recognition for her landmark rulings against corruption involving high-ranking officials, making her a target for major political parties. After her retirement, she emerged as a key figure in civil society, advocating against political corruption.
Despite some internal disagreements, the youth rallied around Karki, who condemned the violent crackdown on protesters as a “massacre.” She received support from Balendra Shah, the popular young mayor of Kathmandu, known for his appeal to the younger demographic.
However, negotiations faced setbacks as leaders from established political parties hesitated to agree to the parliament’s dissolution. It wasn’t until Friday evening, after army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel warned of a potential state of emergency, that an agreement was reached to dissolve parliament and appoint Karki as prime minister until elections could be conducted in six months.
