Nepal has announced the dissolution of its parliament and declared that general elections will be held on March 5, 2026. The President’s office announced the formation of a transitional government and the appointment of a new Prime Minister. Sushila Karki, aged 73, has been appointed as the transitional Prime Minister. Karki is a former Chief Justice of Nepal and is the first and only woman to assume both the roles of Chief Justice and Prime Minister. The need for a transitional government arose after the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and the subsequent fall of his government.
Oli was forced to resign following massive protests by hundreds of thousands of Gen Z youth and general public who took to the streets against his government. The protests were triggered by the government’s decision to ban certain social media platforms. Although the decision was reversed, the protests intensified, leading to unrest and a breakdown of peace and security across the country. During the unrest, protesters clashed with police, causing significant damage to state, government, and private property. They also entered government buildings and ministerial residences, attacking some ministers, setting fires, and causing extensive damage. The situation was brought under control only after the Nepalese army was deployed with weapons and following Oli’s resignation.
The unrest resulted in 51 deaths, including 21 protesters, nine prisoners, three police officers, and 18 others, according to the Nepal Police. Over 1,300 people were injured. Announcing the formation of the transitional government, President Paudel’s office stated that the “House of Representatives has been dissolved, and a general election will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026.” Karki’s appointment as transitional Prime Minister came after consultations between President Paudel, Army Chief Commander Ashok Raj Sigdel, and key protest leaders. The protesters had proposed Karki for the position.
India, Nepal’s southern neighbor, has welcomed the formation of the transitional government. They expressed hope that under Karki’s leadership, peace and stability would be restored in Nepal. “India will always stand by our brothers in Nepal in maintaining their peace, progress, and prosperity,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nepal’s centuries-old monarchy was abolished in 2008, transforming the country into a republic. However, analysts note that Nepal remains politically volatile. Due to limited job opportunities, a large portion of the country’s population has been forced to migrate to other countries.
The unrest in Nepal, situated between China and India, has now subsided. Streets are beginning to return to normalcy. Some shops have reopened and started providing services, while the presence of armed soldiers on the streets has decreased, according to analysts. The main responsibility of transitional Prime Minister Karki’s government is to establish peace and stability and pave the way for general elections.
