Nepal’s president has called for snap elections after a week of unrest, appointing Sushila Karki as the country’s first female prime minister.
Nepal dissolves parliament after protests, new female prime minister
Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel has dissolved parliament and called snap elections for March 5, 2026. The decision was made amid mass protests and the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
First female prime minister
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki became the interim head of government. Her candidacy was approved after urgent consultations with the military and protesters. It was the first time in the country’s history that a woman headed the cabinet.
A week of violence
The protests began after a ban on social media was imposed, which was later lifted. The situation spiraled out of control: more than 50 people died and more than a thousand were injured. Only the resignation of the government reduced the degree of confrontation.
India’s reaction
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Karki on his appointment and said in X that Delhi would continue to support the stability and development of its neighboring country.
A country between China and India
Nepal, home to about 30 million people, has once again found itself in a state of political uncertainty. The lack of stability and jobs has forced millions of Nepalese to seek work abroad, in the Gulf countries, Malaysia and South Korea.
