After deadly protests, Nepal’s interim prime minister is former chief justice Sushila Karki

International Desk | PNN

After intense violent protests and the fall of the government, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been sworn in as Nepal’s interim prime minister. The 73-year-old lawyer has become the first woman in the country’s history to assume the role of prime minister.

The weeklong unrest was triggered by the government’s decision to impose a ban on social media platforms. At least 50 people were killed in clashes with police. On Tuesday, protesters set fire to parliament and other government buildings in Kathmandu, forcing Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.

After several rounds of talks between President Ram Chandra Poudel and protest leaders, Karki was appointed interim prime minister on Friday night. At the same time, parliament was dissolved and the date for national elections was set for 5 March next year.

Karki’s leadership has been welcomed primarily by the youth-led “Gen Z” movement leaders, who view her as a symbol of change. However, her government faces major challenges ahead—restoring law and order, rebuilding the damaged parliament and ministries, and ensuring justice for those responsible for the violence.

Sushila Karki rose from the legal profession to become Nepal’s chief justice in 2016. Although she is known for her clean image, she once faced impeachment proceedings during her tenure as chief justice.

Currently, the army is patrolling the capital. Though the protests have been suppressed, ordinary citizens fear that political uncertainty could push Nepal’s democracy onto a new path of crisis.