Kathmandu, September 13 – Nepal has entered a new political chapter as former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the country’s interim Prime Minister on Friday. In a special ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 73-year-old leader. The event was attended by Vice President Ramsahay Yadav, Chief Justice Prakash Singh Rawat, senior government officials, security chiefs, and members of the diplomatic community.
Yet, the ceremony was not without controversy. The heads of both houses of Parliament — Speaker Devraj Ghimire and National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal — boycotted the swearing-in despite formal invitations from the Presidential Office. Ghimire, a CPN-UML lawmaker, and Dahal, a member of the Maoist Center, openly opposed the President’s decision to dissolve Parliament. Their absence underlined the sharp divisions among Nepal’s political elites.
After the ceremony, President Paudel briefly urged Karki: “Now save the country, be successful.” Karki responded only with a quiet “Thank you” before moving forward, reflecting the weight of responsibility now placed on her shoulders.
A Mission to Protect the Constitution
President Paudel invoked his constitutional powers to appoint Karki as interim Prime Minister with the mandate to hold general elections within six months. The decision followed weeks of turmoil fueled by the Gen Z movement, a youth-led protest that shook the political establishment and pushed for the dissolution of a fragmented Parliament.
Initially, there were discussions of forming a three-member interim cabinet, but parties failed to agree on ministerial portfolios. For now, Karki will oversee all ministries herself until consensus emerges.
Who Else Was in the Running?
The road to Karki’s appointment was shaped by intense negotiations involving the President, Army Chief, and Gen Z representatives. Alternative names considered included Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah and former Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kulman Ghising. However, Shah declined the role, while Ghising lacked broad-based support.
Ultimately, Karki emerged as the compromise figure — respected for her clean image, independence, and ability to reassure both protesters and institutions.
Why Gen Z Endorsed Karki
Sushila Karki is Nepal’s first female Chief Justice and is widely admired for her uncompromising stance against corruption during her judicial tenure. Her reputation for integrity resonated strongly with Gen Z protesters, who were disillusioned by decades of political infighting and corruption scandals.
Although representatives of the youth movement will not formally join the government, they plan to closely monitor Karki’s decisions and ensure that promises made during negotiations are honored.
The Gen Z Charter of Demands
The interim government has already accepted several key demands raised by the protest movement:
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Quick Elections: National polls will be held within six to twelve months, allowing citizens to choose a new government.
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Parliament Dissolution: The sitting Parliament, viewed as paralyzed and unrepresentative, was dissolved under pressure from protesters.
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Civil-Military Representation: A framework for including both civilian and military perspectives in governance will be established.
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Anti-Corruption Drive: A powerful judicial commission will investigate the wealth and assets of established political parties and leaders.
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Independent Inquiry into Violence: The government has promised a fair investigation into protest-related violence, aiming to deliver justice to victims.
What Lies Ahead
Karki’s appointment marks a turning point in Nepal’s democratic journey. For the first time, a former Chief Justice — and the first woman to ever hold the post — now leads an interim government in one of South Asia’s most turbulent political landscapes.
Her success will depend on balancing the expectations of restless youth, the authority of the military, and the skepticism of established political parties. If she manages to deliver free and fair elections within the promised timeframe, Karki could leave behind a historic legacy.
For now, Nepal’s citizens — weary of corruption and political instability — are watching closely as their country steps into uncharted territory under Sushila Karki’s leadership.