Nepal's New Prime Minister, Sushila Karki
Nepal’s newly appointed interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, has pledged to prioritise the demands of young protesters who pushed for change following violent demonstrations that shook the Himalayan nation last week.
Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice and the country’s first female to lead in such a capacity, assumed office on Friday after mass youth-led protests forced out her predecessor. She addressed the nation on Sunday, promising reforms anchored on accountability, equity and good governance.
“We must align our work with the aspirations of this generation,” Karki declared in Kathmandu. “The call is clear—end corruption, promote economic fairness, and strengthen governance. Together, we must be resolute in making this happen.”
The unrest, largely mobilised by tech-savvy Generation Z activists through online platforms such as Discord, spiralled into the deadliest street protests since the abolition of Nepal’s monarchy in 2008. Official figures show that at least 72 people were killed and nearly 200 injured when demonstrations turned violent, with government buildings torched in the capital’s Singha Durbar administrative complex.
Holding a minute’s silence for victims, Karki acknowledged that her ascension was not through personal ambition but rather by the will of the people. “My name was lifted from the streets,” she said, stressing her administration would serve only as a bridge until fresh elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Parliament has already been dissolved to pave way for the polls, with President Ram Chandra Paudel describing the appointment as “a difficult but necessary compromise” to restore calm. He appealed to citizens to embrace the moment as an opportunity to reset Nepal’s democratic course.
The army, led by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, played a pivotal role in brokering the consensus that led to Karki’s emergence, following intense negotiations with protest leaders and political stakeholders.
Despite the optimism, analysts warn the interim government faces a daunting task of meeting public expectations within six months. For many young Nepalis, the protests were not merely about leadership change but about breaking a cycle of corruption and failed promises.
As work resumes in government offices with a new signboard marking the prime minister’s office, Karki has assured citizens her administration will not extend beyond its mandate. “We will complete our duties and hand over to a new parliament,” she said. “But this journey is not possible without the people’s support.”
