Nepal's First Woman Prime Minister Sushila Karki Takes Oath
Nepal has made history by appointing its first woman Prime Minister. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the interim leader of the country. The ceremony took place at the presidential residence in Kathmandu, ending a period of uncertainty and negotiations. This is a significant milestone for Nepal, as Ms. Karki is the first woman to hold this top position.
Election Date Set and Ceremony Attendees
During the event, it was officially announced that the next general elections will be held on March 5, 2026. The swearing-in was attended by important national figures, including President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahay Yadav, and Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Rawat. The Indian Ambassador to Nepal was also present and personally congratulated the new Prime Minister.
Path to the New Government
This decision was the result of an agreement between the President, the Chief of the Army, and representatives from the Generation Z protest movement. Widespread protests led by young people frustrated with corruption and unemployment had forced the previous Prime Minister to resign. These protests saw a strong police response and resulted in numerous casualties.
Other Candidates Considered
Before Ms. Karki was chosen, other names were discussed as potential leaders. One was Kulman Ghising, an engineer famous for solving Nepal's long power cuts. Another was Balendra Shah, the popular 35-year-old Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, who is also a rapper and has a large following among the youth.
The New PM's Background
Sushila Karki is a well-known figure in Nepal. She was the country's first female chief justice and is viewed by many young people as a strong leader who stands against corruption. Her time as a judge was not without controversy; she faced an impeachment motion that was widely seen as political, which eventually failed due to public support. This experience led to her eventual decision to resign from her judicial post before becoming Prime Minister.
