In a significant development, Nepal’s former chief justice Sushila Karki is likely to be appointed as the head of a caretaker government, tasked with conducting fresh elections. This move aims to address the demands of the agitating group, led by the Gen Z protesters who spearheaded the anti-government demonstrations.
Talks and Consultations
Stakeholders, including representatives of the Gen Z group, the army chief, and President Ramchandra Paudel, held talks that concluded inconclusively on Thursday midnight. The Gen Z group proposed Karki’s name for the prime ministerial post, and President Paudel is expected to make the appointment on Friday morning. The president is consulting with various political leaders and constitutional experts to find a way out of the current political impasse.¹
Options Considered
Two options were considered for forming the new government:
- Dissolving Parliament: One possibility was to dissolve parliament and pave the way for fresh elections.
- Retaining Parliament: The other option was to retain parliament and form a new government within the existing constitutional framework. The agitating group has agreed to seek a solution within the constitutional framework.
Current Situation
The crisis began with protests against a social media ban, which escalated into a broader anti-government movement. The number of people killed during the protests has risen to 34, according to Nepal’s health ministry. President Paudel accepted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation but stated that the cabinet will continue to run the government until a new council of ministers is formed.²
