The youth of Nepal have chosen their interim leader and opted for the experience of Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, Sushila Karki.
Karki becomes the first woman to lead Nepal in the process, and has already demonstrated the difference she’s determined to bring to the role.
On being sworn in on Friday night as interim prime mininster, she declared her team will not spend a day over six months in government and declared they are “not here to taste power”.
It’s refreshing to hear a world leader speak in such a way, especially as others are seeking options to extend their time in office.
“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said. “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality.”
Karki’s rise follows the dramatic and violent Gen Z uprising that occurred last week in Nepal. Responding to a controversial social media ban, corruption and rising inequality, the movement saw parliament and government buildings set alight and more than 70 people killed in the clashes. The K.P Sharma Oli government was ultimately toppled as Oli found himself with no options but to resign.
In seeking an interim leader in the lead-up to elections on March 5 2026, votes were held across the communication platform Discord, with Karki coming up on top.
Karki is a former chief justice, appointed as the first woman in the job in July 2016. She had to retire in 2017, having only served one year as a Chief Justice due to retirement age mandates. She’s known as a Gandhian, in terms of lifestyle and ideology. She’s long stood against corruption, issuing landmark verdicts during her time as chief justice. She’s also known for a verdict that directed the government to investigate a Nepali Army official over the rape and murder of Maina Sunar, which later saw army officials convicted.
Foreign Mininster Penny Wong said Australia welcomes Karki’s appointment as interim PM, describing the move, “as a step towards resolving the difficult events of the past week.”
Wong urged “calm and restraint to ensure the transition to elections is peaceful, accountable and inclusive” and declared Australia supports the people of Nepal.
It’s interesting that Karki’s elevation comes at the hands of the country’s youth. Clearly, they see something in her experience, integrity and leadership capabilities.
Given Nepal’s current circumstances, we can see the “glass cliff” theory at work, with a woman appointed to a role for the first time just as the potential for failure in the role is high.
But Karki was put into the role by popular vote and has already expressed a promise to leave after just six months.
“My team and I are not here to taste the power,” she said while being sworn in on Friday. “We won’t stay for more than six months. We will hand over the responsibility to the new parliament. We won’t succeed without your support.”