Nepal Protesters Pick Ex-Chief Justice Sushila Karki for PM Role
Gen Z protesters back Sushila Karki as Nepal’s interim PM.
Nepal’s Gen Z-led protesters, driving a leaderless revolt against corruption and a now-revoked social media ban, have proposed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki, 73, as interim Prime Minister following the resignation of KP Sharma Oli on September 9. Advocate Raman Kumar Karna, secretary of Nepal’s Supreme Court Bar Association, told Reuters that the group, after a five-hour meeting, selected Karki for her apolitical stance and plans to present the proposal to the Nepal Army Chief.
Karki, the first woman to serve as Nepal’s Chief Justice in 2016, appointed under Oli’s tenure, is seen as a neutral figure amid widespread distrust of the political elite. Despite her husband’s past affiliation with the Nepali Congress, Karki has maintained a non-partisan reputation, making her a compelling choice for a nation that has never had a female prime minister. The protests, sparked by a ban on 26 social media platforms, have resulted in 25 deaths and over 600 injuries, with government buildings, including Parliament and Oli’s residence, set ablaze.
Kathmandu remains under a military curfew until Thursday morning, with armored vehicles patrolling and the Nepal Army committed to protecting lives and property, according to spokesman Raja Ram Basnet. Tribhuvan International Airport resumed operations Wednesday evening after a 24-hour closure. Former judge Balaram KC urged dissolving Parliament for fresh elections to restore stability.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China called for peace, reflecting Nepal’s strategic position between the two nations. As young volunteers clear debris, Karki’s potential leadership offers a path toward calming a nation reeling from political and economic turmoil.
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