KATHMANDU: Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been appointed to lead an interim government, the President’s Office announced on Friday, ending days of political uncertainty triggered by the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli earlier this week. Oli stepped down following widespread protests against the social media ban and allegations of corruption.
Karki, 73, widely respected as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, will now make history as the country’s first woman Prime Minister.
Her appointment came after President Ram Chandra Paudel held consultations with top military officials, youth protest leaders, political parties, legal experts, and civil society representatives.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 9 pm, presidential press advisor Kiran Pokharel confirmed. Karki’s immediate priority will be restoring law and order after the mass demonstrations that began on Sunday.
Officials said she will form a small cabinet and, in its first meeting, recommend the dissolution of Parliament as agreed upon by stakeholders. President Paudel is expected to act on the recommendation.
Oli’s resignation followed weeks of agitation spearheaded by the ‘Gen Z’ movement, which demanded action against corruption, an end to political favoritism, and the lifting of the ban on social media platforms.
