Sushila Karki, the 73-year-old former chief justice, has been appointed to lead an interim government tasked with restoring stability and addressing widespread demands for a corruption-free future as Nepal prepares for elections on March 5, 2026.
The appointment follows a week of violent protests sparked by a social media ban and fueled by deep-seated economic grievances.
The unrest, which began on Monday, saw parliament and key government buildings in Singha Durbar set ablaze, marking the worst violence since Nepal’s civil war ended in 2008. At least 72 people were killed and 191 injured over two days, according to Eaknarayan Aryal, the government’s chief secretary.
Karki, known for her judicial independence, was chosen after negotiations led by army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and President Ram Chandra Paudel, with input from the “Gen Z” youth protest movement, which rallied behind her on the Discord app.
“My name was brought from the streets,” Karki said in her first public remarks since taking office on Friday. “We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation.”
Nepal faces significant challenges, with a fifth of its youth (aged 15-24) unemployed and a GDP per capita of just $1,447, according to the World Bank.
“What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance, and economic equality,” Karki stated.
On Sunday, she held a minute’s silence for the victims of the unrest before beginning meetings in the fire-damaged Singha Durbar complex.
With parliament dissolved, Karki pledged that her government would serve only until the elections, saying, “We will not stay here more than six months in any situation.”
She emphasized a commitment to handing over power to a newly elected parliament and ministers.Local residents expressed cautious optimism.
“This government’s list of responsibilities isn’t easy. It needs to ensure unity and harmony,” said Satya Narayan, a 69-year-old shopkeeper from Pharping village.
As Nepal navigates this turbulent period, Karki’s leadership will be tested by the urgent need for reform and reconciliation.
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