Nepal Appoints First Female Prime Minister Amid Unrest

Fri Oct 17 2025 03:26:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki takes the helm as Nepal's interim prime minister following deadly protests over corruption and a recent social media ban.

Sushila Karki has been sworn in as Nepal's first female prime minister after the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amidst anti-corruption protests that resulted in over 50 lives lost. The protests, ignited by a social media ban, transformed into a broader movement against the political elite. Karki's leadership comes with the expectation of appointing ministers and addressing pressing issues, including restoring order and reforming the government.

Nepal's former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki has become the country's interim prime minister after deadly anti-corruption protests ousted the government.

The 73-year-old was sworn in during a brief ceremony, becoming the first woman to lead the impoverished Himalayan nation after a deal was reached with protest leaders.

More than 50 people were killed in clashes with riot police during this week's mass protests sparked by a ban on social media platforms. The ban was lifted on Monday - but by then protests had swelled into a mass movement. Angry crowds set fire to parliament and government buildings in the capital Kathmandu on Tuesday , forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.

Earlier on Friday, President Ram Chandra Poudel's press adviser confirmed to the BBC that Karki would take the oath of office that evening. The agreement between the president and the protest leaders was reached after days of consultations involving legal experts.

Parliament was dissolved late on Friday, and it was announced that general elections would be held on 5 March next year. Karki is expected to appoint ministers to her cabinet within a few days.

She is widely regarded as having a clean image, and her leadership of the interim government is being supported by student leaders from the so-called Gen Z movement.

However, her cabinet will face multiple challenges, including restoring law and order, reconstructing parliament and the other key buildings that were attacked, and reassuring the Gen Z protesters who want change.

Karki's appointment is a compromise resulting from talks that were brokered by Nepal's army chief this week. Elated Gen Z supporters are expressing their happiness on social media, seeing this as the next step in the new political course they want the country to take.

The protests were triggered by the government's decision last week to ban 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook, but they soon morphed into a broader expression of discontent with the political elite, following a campaign that spotlighted the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children.

Despite the ban being lifted, the protests gained momentum and have led to significant unrest. As Karki assumes leadership, she faces the task of addressing these complex and deep-rooted issues within Nepal.