Gen-Z Picks Karki
Amid violent protests that drove Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from office, Nepal’s Generation Z protesters moved swiftly to shape a new interim government. In an online vote, they backed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who received roughly 31% of votes, surpassing even Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah. Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, is well known for tough, anti-corruption rulings — a reputation that resonates deeply with young activists Reuters+1.
Military Steps In, Talks Underway
The army has taken effective control of Kathmandu in a bid to restore order. Military leaders, including General Ashok Raj Sigdel, are in ongoing discussions with Gen-Z representatives and President Ramchandra Paudel, exploring ways to install neutral leadership and hold new elections. Army patrols remain widespread, and curfews are still in place across parts of the capital The Wall Street Journal+1.
Airport Reopens, Normalcy Edges In
Tribhuvan International Airport was closed amid smoke and disruptions during peak unrest. Authorities have now reopened it, allowing flights to resume under tight security. Officials advise passengers to double-check schedules as operations gradually return to normal Indiatimes.
Political Calls for Peaceful Dialogue
Senior political figures from diverse parties have called for calm and constitutional dialogue to resolve the crisis. They urged protestors and institutions to work within the law rather than resort to violence, emphasizing the need for inclusive talks and a peaceful transition AP News+2The Wall Street Journal+2.
Death Toll and Damage
The protests, triggered by a temporary ban on social media platforms, escalated quickly. Clashes resulted in at least 30 to 34 deaths and over 1,000 injured, with multiple government buildings, hotels, and politicians’ homes torched in Kathmandu and other cities. The unrest is widely seen as rooted in long-standing frustration over corruption, inequality, and youth unemployment Wikipedia+2Reuters+2.
Why Karki Was Chosen
- Credibility and integrity: Karki built her reputation in the judiciary with no-tolerance rulings on corruption, making her a symbol of clean leadership.
- Neutral outsider: Gen-Z protesters deliberately chose someone outside party politics, seeing her as less tainted by Nepal’s factional system.
- Better than alternatives: Though Mayor Balen Shah was popular, Karki’s seniority and judicial record gave her an edge among the youth’s shortlist South China Morning Post+1.
What Happens Next?
- Formal appointment: Negotiations continue among protest leaders, the president, and military officials on constitutional grounds to appoint Karki as interim PM.
- Transitional mandate: The interim leader is expected to oversee fresh elections and potentially guide modest constitutional reforms—but not rewrite the entire constitution Reuters+1.
- Stability vs expectation: With army control helping to suppress further violence, the critical challenge remains balancing demands for quick reform with the need for an orderly, democratic process.
Summary
Nepal’s youth-led uprising ousted PM Oli in one of the most violent national convulsions in decades. Gen-Z protesters have backed Sushila Karki, a respected former chief justice, to lead an interim government. The army now oversees security, Tribhuvan Airport is back in action, and political and military stakeholders are gathered to chart a path forward—with peace, consensus, and new elections at the center of hopes for a democratic reset.
