Sushila Karki Becomes Nepal’s First Female Prime Minister After Gen Z Protests Force Political Change

Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, has been sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister after Gen Z-led protests toppled K.P. Sharma Oli’s government. Learn about her journey, the protests, and what comes next for Nepal.

Nepal has entered a new political chapter with the appointment of Sushila Karki as the country’s interim Prime Minister. The 73-year-old former Chief Justice was formally sworn in on Friday, following a week of violent unrest that forced long-serving leader K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.

A Historic Appointment

Karki, already a trailblazer as Nepal’s first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (2016–2017), now becomes the first woman to lead the government. She was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Poudel at a ceremony held at the presidential residence in Kathmandu, attended by senior officials, diplomats, and political representatives.

Her selection followed negotiations between the president, army leadership, and representatives of the Gen Z protest movement, whose mass demonstrations shook Nepal’s political system to its core.

Protests That Changed Nepal

The protests, largely driven by young Nepalis frustrated with corruption and authoritarian governance, erupted after the Oli government attempted to ban social media platforms earlier this month. What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly escalated into violent clashes.

Within days, at least 51 people were killed, including protesters, police officers, and inmates who attempted a jailbreak amid the chaos. More than 1,300 were injured. Facing immense pressure, Prime Minister Oli stepped down on Tuesday and fled his official residence as the army moved in to restore order.

By Friday, shops reopened, vehicles returned to the streets of Kathmandu, and soldiers began withdrawing from checkpoints, though the scars of the violence remain visible across the capital.

Why Protesters Backed Karki

Despite being in her seventies, Karki emerged as the preferred candidate of Nepal’s disillusioned youth. Protesters praised her reputation for integrity, independence, and courage in standing up to political pressure during her time on the Supreme Court.

Her past includes:

• Sentencing government officials and army personnel for corruption and wartime crimes.

• Surviving an attempted impeachment in 2017 after she overturned a controversial government decision.

• Advocating for transparency and justice in a political system plagued by infighting.

Speaking to local media, Karki acknowledged the weight of expectation placed on her shoulders: “The youth told me they believe in me to lead for a short time until elections. I take this responsibility with courage.”

Challenges Ahead

Karki will lead an interim government tasked with organizing fresh parliamentary elections by March 2026. Analysts warn her immediate challenges will be daunting:

• Investigating the violence and holding perpetrators accountable.

• Restoring law and order while healing a divided nation.

• Addressing widespread corruption and weak governance.

• Reassuring citizens about security and rebuilding public trust in state institutions.

Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari noted, “She must ensure stability, fight corruption, and provide credible governance during this critical transition.”

A Symbol of Change

For many, Karki’s appointment symbolizes the triumph of people power—especially the Gen Z movement, whose energy and sacrifices paved the way for new leadership.

Protester Manjita Manandhar summed up the mood: “We lost so many young lives, but this is the beginning of a new Nepal. We did this for them. The journey has just begun.”

While her term is expected to be short-lived as she prepares the country for elections, Sushila Karki’s rise to Nepal’s highest political office is already a landmark moment—both as a victory for women’s representation and as a testament to the force of Nepal’s youth-led revolution.