Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki named Nepal's interim prime minister
What's the story
Former Chief Justice of Nepal, Sushila Karki, will be sworn in as the interim Prime Minister on Friday. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 9:00pm at Sheetal Niwas, the President's office in Nepal. Her appointment comes after protracted negotiations among key stakeholders, including President Ramchandra Paudel and army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel.
Protest aftermath
Karki's appointment amid political crisis
Karki's appointment comes in the wake of intense anti-corruption protests that led to the resignation of incumbent Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The protests, which were sparked by a social media ban, left 51 dead and over 1,300 injured. Despite the violence, Karki emerged as a consensus candidate among Gen-Z protesters who demanded her appointment due to her integrity and stand against corruption.
Cabinet plans
Caretaker government and parliamentary dissolution
Karki will head a small caretaker government, with the first Cabinet meeting set for Friday night. The Cabinet is expected to recommend the dissolution of both federal and provincial parliaments. This decision aligns with the demands of Gen-Z protesters, who have been at the forefront of political change in Nepal.
Support base
Support for Karki grows amid political deadlock
Karki, who served as Nepal's first woman chief justice from 2016-2017, is known for her tough stand on corruption. She has also been supported by popular figures like Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. Despite initial differences among protesters over the PM candidate, Karki's appointment was finalized after discussions at President Paudel's residence.
Instability
Nepal's political history and recent unrest aftermath
Nepal has been politically and economically unstable since the abolition of its monarchy in 2008. The country is still reeling from the impact of recent protests, with shops reopening slowly in Kathmandu. However, some roads remain blocked as authorities hand over bodies to families of those killed during the unrest.