Nepal is set to declare an emergency and dissolve its Parliament after Gen Z protests overthrew the government earlier this week. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki took oath as interim Prime Minister on Friday night with plans to form a small Cabinet. The breakthrough agreement came after multiple days of negotiations between Gen Z groups, Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel and the Army.
According to local media reports, President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Karki around 9:45 pm. The interim leader will immediately form a three-member Cabinet while the current parliament is dissolved. An update shared by Kathmandu Post indicated that the first Cabinet meeting would be held shortly to recommend House dissolution as demanded by the agitating groups.
Press advisor Kiran Pokhrel told the Kathmandu Post that the President would carry forward other decisions. A report by Himalayan Times also added that Paudel had agreed to dissolve the House of Representatives and declare a state of emergency under Article 273(1) of the Constitution.
Election via Discord
The selection of Karki marked a rare moment of consensus in recent Nepali politics. She was chosen in a rather unconventional manner — with Gen Z leaders holding a public vote on Discord. The former Chief Justice had emerged as the most popular and acceptable figure — not only among the youth movement but also among traditional political forces seeking stability and credibility in a time of upheaval. The septuagenarian had made waves in 2016 as the first woman chief justice in Nepal — with former colleagues describing Karki as a courageous person of the highest integrity. She is now the first first female executive head of the country.
The Himalayan country was plunged into chaos earlier this week as Gen Z protesters rose against the government. Simmering public resentment had boiled over after ousted leader KP Sharma Oli announced a sweeping social media ban on September 4. Matters took a turn for the worse after dozens of student protesters were killed amidst a clash with the police on Monday. The Army had stepped in to restore order after two days of deadly violence left the streets resembling a war zone and held extensive negotiations to finalise an interim leader.