Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Poudel on Friday named former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the country’s interim prime minister, marking the first time a woman has led the nation’s government. The appointment followed widespread unrest that led to the downfall of the previous administration.
Acting on Karki’s recommendation, the president also dissolved the parliament and scheduled new elections for March 5, according to an official statement released late Friday. Nepal last held parliamentary elections in 2022.
Karki, 73, earned public admiration during her tenure as Nepal’s only female chief justice in 2016–2017, particularly for her anti-corruption efforts. Though she faced an attempted impeachment in 2017 on allegations of bias, the effort was widely condemned and ultimately failed.
Mass protests erupted in Kathmandu on Monday after the government briefly banned social media platforms. The demonstrations quickly escalated into violence, with protesters attacking public buildings and police forces responding with gunfire. Despite the government reversing the ban, the unrest persisted, fueled by broader dissatisfaction with political elites.
Protesters set fire to the parliament building, the presidential residence, and various businesses. The turmoil led to the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli on Tuesday. The military took control of the capital that night, and talks began between the army, protesters, and the president to form an interim government.
Police reported on Friday that the week’s violence had claimed at least 51 lives, including protesters killed by police and inmates who died while attempting a prison break. Three police officers were also among the fatalities.
A military-enforced curfew has been in place since Tuesday evening, allowing residents only limited hours to access essentials while soldiers patrol the streets.
The protests, known as the “Gen Z uprising,” initially responded to the temporary ban on social media platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube—blocked for failing to comply with government oversight. However, the movement quickly expanded, with young demonstrators expressing frustration over political nepotism and youth unemployment, contrasting their struggles with the privilege enjoyed by the children of political leaders.