Nepal is on the verge of a significant political shift as former chief justice Sushila Karki is expected to be appointed interim prime minister following the resignation of K.P. Sharma Oli, senior sources told Reuters. Oli stepped down after days of violent anti-graft protests, which left 34 people dead and over 1,300 injured, underscoring the fragility of governance in the Himalayan state. The crisis, ignited by a short-lived social media ban, reflects deep public frustration with entrenched corruption and weak institutions.
Karki’s expected rise marks a rare move to entrust the nation’s leadership to a judicial figure, seen as a response to demands from the largely Gen Z-led protest movement. Backed by consultations between President Ramchandra Paudel and army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, her appointment signals a recalibration of civil-military relations during a moment of profound political volatility.
Geopolitically, Nepal’s turmoil carries regional weight. Sandwiched between India and China, both vying for influence in the strategically vital Himalayan corridor, Kathmandu’s instability raises questions over future alignments. Since the monarchy’s abolition in 2008, chronic instability and limited economic prospects have driven millions of Nepalis abroad, making remittances the backbone of its economy. For New Delhi and Beijing, the interim leadership in Kathmandu could shape the next phase of Nepal’s foreign policy orientation.
Although signs of calm returned to Kathmandu—with shops reopening and police reverting to batons—security remained tight, reflecting lingering uncertainties. How Karki navigates this interim period may determine whether Nepal stabilizes or sinks deeper into political fragmentation at a time when its neighbors are closely watching.
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