Nepal’s newly-appointed interim prime minister, Sushila Karki, has committed to serving in her role for a maximum of six months. She expressed that her appointment was not by choice but was influenced by public demands following significant protests. Karki acknowledged the need to transition power to a new government after elections scheduled for March 5 of next year.
Her appointment follows a period of intense civil unrest, which saw more than 70 fatalities during anti-corruption demonstrations that led to the ousting of the previous government. These protests were sparked by a ban on social media platforms and escalated into violence, resulting in damage to political properties and a fire at the parliament building. The official death toll now stands at 72, including three police officers.
Karki took office following negotiations with protest leaders from the “Gen Z” movement, highlighting the movement’s focus on combating corruption, achieving good governance, and promoting economic equality. She emphasized the need to align government actions with the priorities of the younger generation.
Despite her appointment as interim prime minister being seen as an attempt to stabilize the situation, Karki faces the challenge of restoring order and addressing the concerns of both the Gen Z protesters and the broader population, who may be apprehensive about the future of Nepal’s democracy. While considered to have a clean reputation from her previous role as chief justice, Karki’s time in office has not been completely free from controversy, including an impeachment incident during her 11-month tenure in the Supreme Court.
The tasks ahead for Karki and her administration include rebuilding damaged government infrastructure and reassuring citizens about the constitutional stability of Nepal.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8wjz90z4no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss