In brief
Sushila Karki, the first female interim prime minister of Nepal, has announced that she will hold her position for no more than six months. Her appointment follows violent protests that resulted in over 70 fatalities and were driven by calls for an end to corruption. Karki, who took office after a deal with protest leaders, aims to restore stability and ensure good governance, aligning her administration with the demands of the younger generation in the country.
Nepal's newly-appointed interim prime minister says she will be in the post for no longer than six months.
I did not wish for this job. It was after voices from the streets that I was compelled to accept, Sushila Karki said, speaking for the first time since being sworn into office last Friday. She stated that she will hand over power to the new government post-elections on March 5 next year.
Her leadership comes in the wake of tumultuous anti-corruption protests that led to the deaths of over 70 individuals, including three police officers. Karki assumed her role following an agreement with the leaders of the 'Gen Z' movement, which has been instrumental in reshaping the political landscape in Nepal.
We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation, she articulated, emphasizing their demands for an end to corruption, good governance, and economic equality.
The protests were ignited by a government ban on social media, sparking chaos where homes of politicians were vandalized and the parliament was set ablaze. Addressing the violence, Karki expressed shame over the destruction, urging a sense of national identity among the perpetrators.
While Karki is regarded for her integrity, her past also features controversy from her tenure as chief justice. She now faces considerable challenges, such as restoring law and order and rebuilding damaged institutions, while addressing the needs of both youthful protesters and citizens anxious about the nation’s democratic future.
