Nepal Swears In First Female Prime Minister Amid Protests, Election Plans

Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives and appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the country's first female Prime Minister amid political turmoil. Karki's appointment followed the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who stepped down after violent anti-corruption protests led by the youth-driven Gen Z movement erupted in response to a social media ban. The unrest resulted in over 50 deaths and more than 1,300 injuries, marking the worst violence Nepal has seen in decades. Karki, known for her reputation for honesty and integrity, took the oath of office to lead an interim government tasked with restoring stability and holding fresh parliamentary elections by March 2026. Her appointment has been widely celebrated by Nepal's youth, who see it as a step toward political reform and recovery from ongoing socio-political and economic challenges. Despite the challenges ahead, Karki's leadership represents a historic milestone for Nepal's governance and gender equality in politics.