Nepal Names Sushila Karki First Female PM Amid Youth Anti-Corruption Protests

Nepal has entered a historic political transition with the appointment of Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice, as the country’s first female Prime Minister. Her rise to the interim premiership comes in the aftermath of a week of unprecedented anti-government protests that left at least 51 people dead and more than 1,300 injured.

The unrest, largely spearheaded by Generation Z, began in response to the government’s decision to ban 26 social media platforms but soon expanded into a broader movement against entrenched corruption, nepotism, and democratic backsliding. Protesters clashed with security forces, and widespread vandalism and arson engulfed the capital, with government buildings, including parliament and ministerial residences, set ablaze.

Amid escalating violence and mounting criticism, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, leading to the dissolution of parliament and the urgent need for an interim government. After two days of negotiations between President Ram Chandra Paudel, Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, and protest leaders, Sushila Karki, respected for her anti-corruption stance and independence during her tenure as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, was sworn in on 12 September 2025.

Her appointment was followed by the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the announcement of fresh elections scheduled for 5 March 2026. International reactions were swift: India congratulated Karki and pledged support for Nepal’s peace and prosperity, while China urged calm and stability without formally endorsing the new leadership.

Domestically, her appointment has generated cautious optimism, with many protesters seeing it as a symbolic break from the entrenched political elite, though concerns remain over constitutional legitimacy and the government’s ability to deliver meaningful reform.

Karki faces immense challenges, including investigating protest-related deaths, addressing systemic corruption, restoring public trust, and ensuring credible elections within the set timeline. The appointment underscores a generational shift in Nepalese politics, as youth-led mobilization has demonstrated its power to challenge the status quo.

The success of Karki’s interim leadership will be judged by her capacity to restore stability, uphold democratic norms, and lay the foundation for a more accountable and inclusive governance structure.

Source: Reuters; AP News; The Guardian; Al Jazeera; Financial Times; Sky News.