Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushila Karki appointed three new ministers to her interim government on Monday. The interim government has been tasked with holding fresh elections in March following last week’s violent protests that toppled the previous administration.
Karki, Nepal’s first female prime minister, named Kalman Gurung as energy minister, Rameshore Khanal as finance minister, and Om Prakash Aryal as home minister.
The 73-year-old Karki assumed office on Sept. 12. Previously, she gained popularity as the Supreme Court’s chief justice in 2016–2017, earning recognition for her firm stance against corruption.
Last week’s demonstrations, dubbed the “Gen Z protest,” left at least 72 people dead and hundreds injured. The army imposed a curfew before agreeing to install Karki as head of the interim government, which will oversee elections in six months.
“I did not come to this position seeking it, but because voices from the streets demanded that Sushila Karki be given this responsibility,” she said Sunday. “Our role is only for six months — to complete the assigned tasks and hand over to the next government.”
Karki faces the dual challenge of meeting the expectations of the young protesters while managing senior political leaders and restoring government institutions damaged during the unrest. “Our focus now must be ending corruption, ensuring good governance, and promoting economic equality,” she added.
Students and business leaders expressed confidence in Karki. Chandra Lal Mehta, a student, noted that voters may choose a younger leader in March, but praised Karki’s legal expertise as an asset in her current role. Businessperson Shrawan Dahl said her support from both the army and the public makes her well-suited to lead the interim government.
The protests erupted on Sept. 8 over a brief social media ban, escalating into violent demonstrations against widespread corruption and poverty. Protesters attacked government buildings, including Parliament, the president’s office, the Supreme Court, several ministries, and police stations. Some private properties, including stores of a popular supermarket chain, were also targeted.
Calm was restored after the army regained control of the streets, paving the way for negotiations between protesters, the military, and the president to form the interim administration.