Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been appointed as the country’s interim prime minister, following widespread anti-corruption protests that resulted in the deaths of at least 51 people and injured over 1,300. The appointment was announced by Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel on Friday, after he dissolved parliament and scheduled elections for March 2026.
The decision came after negotiations between the president, representatives of the ‘Generation Z’ protest movement, and the chief of the army, General Ashok Raj Sigdel. The military had taken control of the capital Kathmandu and enforced a curfew, amid violent clashes between protesters and police. The protests, which began in early September, were sparked by outrage over politicians’ children flaunting their wealth on social media, while the country struggles with poverty and youth unemployment above 20%.
Karki, 73, is widely known for her stance against corruption and has become the first woman to hold the position of interim prime minister in Nepal. She previously served as chief justice from 2016 to 2017, and was the only female to have held this post. During her tenure, she faced an impeachment attempt by some lawmakers, but it was quickly stalled due to public backlash and a Supreme Court intervention.
The mass demonstrations escalated after the government banned social media networks, with protesters setting the national parliament on fire and forcing former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign. The new interim prime minister has not yet issued a statement on her appointment or outlined her immediate agenda. However, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the news, expressing his country’s commitment to Nepal’s peace, progress, and prosperity.
The appointment of Karki as interim prime minister marks a significant development in Nepal’s efforts to address corruption and restore stability. As the country prepares for elections in March 2026, the new government will face the challenge of addressing the grievances of the protesting youth and restoring public trust in the government. With her reputation for integrity and her experience in the judiciary, Karki is expected to play a key role in shaping Nepal’s future and addressing the country’s pressing issues.