Nepal: Sushila Karki to Be Sworn In as Interim Prime Minister, First Woman to Hold the Position

Sushila Karki, 73, is set to become the interim Prime Minister of Nepal, according to a report by news agency ANI on Friday evening. A respected figure in Nepal’s judiciary, Karki will not only be the first woman to hold the country’s highest executive office but had already broken barriers as the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Her appointment comes at a critical moment in Nepal’s political history. The country has been rocked by weeks of youth-led protests, sparked by a controversial ban on social media platforms and deepening public anger over corruption and government inefficiency. The demonstrations, which turned violent in several parts of the country, led to the deaths of over 30 people and left more than 1,000 injured. Following the unrest, Kathmandu and other major cities have now returned to a tense calm.

Karki replaces former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who resigned on Tuesday after the protests escalated into a mass movement that ousted much of the entrenched political leadership. The upheaval was driven largely by the so-called ‘Gen Z’ movement—a decentralized, youth-led group that demanded radical change and fresh leadership. Karki emerged as their top choice for the interim role during discussions earlier this week, although other names were also considered, including Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician, and Kulman Ghising, the 54-year-old former head of Nepal Electricity Authority known for ending nationwide power outages.

Karki has stated that she hopes to guide Nepal toward new elections within six months to a year. Her reputation for integrity and independence during her judicial career appears to have earned her broad support among young protestors and civil society leaders. As Nepal prepares for a political reset, her leadership is seen as a symbol of hope and transition, bridging the gap between the discredited old guard and the promise of a more accountable, democratic future.