Sushila Karki Sworn in as Nepal’s First Woman Prime Minister
Former Chief Justice takes oath amid consensus following mass protests and political turmoil.
- Sushila Karki sworn in as Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister.
- General elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.
- Appointment follows consensus between President, Army Chief, and Generation Z protest leaders.
- Mass protests over corruption and unemployment led to former PM KP Sharma Oli’s resignation.
- Karki, former Chief Justice, known for her anti-corruption stance and uncompromising leadership.
GG News Bureau
Kathmandu, 12th Sept: Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal on Friday, marking a historic moment as the country’s first woman head of government. The oath-taking ceremony took place at Nepal’s Rashtrapati Bhawan, in the presence of President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahay Yadav, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Rawat, and India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, who extended congratulations to the newly appointed PM.
The Office of the President announced that general elections will be held on March 5, 2026. Ms Karki’s appointment followed days of negotiations and a consensus among President Paudel, Nepal Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, and representatives of the Generation Z protest movement, whose mass agitation had recently forced the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
The protests, driven by youth demanding action against corruption and unemployment, led to a police crackdown this week and left at least 51 people dead. Amid the unrest, several candidates were considered for the interim premiership, including Kulman Ghising, credited with ending Nepal’s electricity shortages, and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, who enjoys strong support among urban youth.
Karki, who served as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice between 2016 and 2017, is widely regarded as an uncompromising figure with a strong anti-corruption record. Her tenure on the bench was marked by turbulence, including an impeachment motion against her—later withdrawn due to public pressure—which left her disillusioned and led to her resignation.
Her swearing-in is seen as a move to stabilize the political climate and restore public confidence ahead of the upcoming elections, as Nepal navigates a period of heightened political sensitivity and youth-driven demands for reform.
