KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) – On Monday, Nepal's Prime Minister Sushila Karki appointed three new ministers to her interim government, designed to oversee fresh elections scheduled for March 2025. This decision followed violent street protests last week that resulted in the collapse of the previous government, leading to a significant makeover in the nation’s leadership.
Sushila Karki, who made history as the first female prime minister of Nepal, appointed Kalman Gurung as the Minister of Energy, Rameshore Khanal as the Minister of Finance, and Om Prakash Aryal as the Minister of Home Affairs. Karki, who is 73 years old, was previously celebrated for her tenure as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 2016 and 2017, where she was noted for her strong stance against corruption in the government.
The violent demonstrations, branded as the "Protest of Gen Z," erupted on September 8, 2025, primarily in response to a short-lived ban on social media. These protests resulted in at least 72 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. In light of the unrest, military forces intervened to impose a curfew and ultimately agreed to Karki’s appointment as head of an interim government, which is expected to organize elections within six months.
During her statements, Karki emphasized that her position was not sought but rather a response to widespread demands from the public. “We are here for only six months to complete the task given to us and transfer the responsibility to the upcoming government and ministers,” Karki stated. She acknowledges significant challenges ahead, particularly in balancing the expectations of the youthful protesters and seasoned political leaders, while also working to restore government structures that faced destruction during the protests.
Karki's objectives include addressing corruption, promoting good governance, and striving for economic equity. Chandra Lal Mehta, a student, voiced her belief that voters might favor a younger leader in the upcoming elections but acknowledged Karki's legal expertise as an asset in her current role. Similarly, business leader Shrawan Dahl expressed confidence that Karki is well-positioned to lead the interim government, bolstered by support from both the army and the populace, and hopes she will successfully fulfill her mandate to conduct elections.
Notably, Karki faced an impeachment attempt in April 2017 while serving as Chief Justice, a move that was widely criticized as an assault on the judiciary but ultimately failed.
The protests escalated significantly following the government's actions on social media, inciting tens of thousands of people, particularly youths, to take to the streets in anger over entrenched issues like corruption and poverty. Participants were particularly incensed by the stark contrast between their struggles and the luxurious lifestyles of influential political families, often referred to as "nepo kids." Violence ensued on September 9, when demonstrators attacked the Parliament building, leading to police opening fire and a wider escalation of unrest, resulting in attacks on various government buildings and assets associated with political elites.
The army restored calm after taking control of the streets, paving the way for negotiations among protesters, military officials, and the president regarding the formation of an interim government.
