Nepal Gen Z Protesters have installed First Female Prime Minister amid revolution.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Nepal entered a new chapter of political history on Friday as Sushila Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice, was sworn in as the country’s first female prime minister, taking office as interim leader after a week of deadly youth-led protests toppled the government.
Karki’s appointment follows the dramatic resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who stepped down amid mass demonstrations against corruption, nepotism, and widening inequality. The unrest, led largely by Gen Z activists left at least 51 people dead and more than 1,700 injured, according to Nepal Police and the Ministry of Health.
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What began as an online campaign against the privileged lifestyles of politically connected elites, dubbed “Nepo Kids”, quickly spiraled into street clashes after the government banned over two dozen social media platforms. In a flashpoint moment, protesters set fire to parliament and the Supreme Court, plunging the nation into crisis.
Karki emerged as a consensus candidate among demonstrators after an informal vote on Discord, the same platform used to coordinate the protests. Widely respected for her integrity and judicial independence, she is remembered for her landmark rulings as chief justice, including a decision that blocked a politically motivated appointment to police chief in 2017.
Her swearing-in was accompanied by the dissolution of parliament, announced by President Ram Chandra Paudel on Karki’s recommendation. Fresh elections have been scheduled for March 5, 2026.
India, Nepal’s closest neighbor, welcomed the leadership change. “As a fellow democracy and long-term partner, India will continue to work closely with Nepal for peace, stability, and prosperity,” New Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
For many young Nepalis, Karki represents hope for reform. “We want someone who has integrity and is not a political opportunist. She fits that category for us,” said 28-year-old Biraj Aryal, one of the demonstrators. Law student Anjali Sah, 24, added: “She has shown she has a spine. A woman leading this country might finally set things in order.”
Karki’s rise underscores both the depth of public anger at Nepal’s entrenched political class and the determination of a digitally savvy youth movement to reshape the country’s future.
