Nepal’s interim prime minister, Sushila Karki, announced that she will not remain in office for more than six months, promising to hand over power to the government formed after the March 5 elections, according to a BBC report.
Delivering her first speech after taking the oath of office on Sunday, Karki said,
> “I did not seek this responsibility. I had to take it because of the young people on the streets. I have taken this position only to fulfill the expectations of the people.”
Karki’s appointment follows the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid widespread protests led by Gen Z demonstrators. At least 72 people, including three police officers, were killed during the unrest. The protests began on September 8 over a social media ban and quickly turned violent, with protesters vandalizing politicians’ homes and setting fire to the parliament building.
Expressing her dismay over the violence, Karki said:
> “If those vandals are truly Nepalis, then how can they call themselves Nepali? I feel ashamed thinking about it.”
A former Chief Justice, Karki is widely regarded for her clean image, though her tenure was not without controversy — she faced impeachment proceedings within just 11 months of taking office as chief justice.
The interim government now faces major challenges, including restoring law and order, rebuilding damaged state institutions, and engaging with Nepal’s angry Gen Z protesters.
Karki added,
> “We have to work in line with the thinking of the Gen Z generation. What they want is an end to corruption, good governance, and economic equality.”
