President Ramchandra Paudel has appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal. Why now? The recent political crisis made this move necessary. After the Gen-Z movement escalated and the previous Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, resigned, there was a gap in leadership. Karki, already famous as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, now becomes Nepal’s first woman interim Prime Minister.
The Context: What Led Here
Here’s what led up to this moment. On the 23rd of Bhadra (Nepal’s calendar), young people protesting state violence lost lives. They demanded accountability. Oli stepped down. Then public debate turned toward who should lead the interim government. Some names emerged: Balen Shah, Kalyan Shrestha. Shah declined. Shrestha said age and past judicial opinions made him unsuitable. Ultimately, the youth groups and opposition coalesced around Sushila Karki.
Why Karki’s Past Plays a Big Role
Karki isn’t new to pressure. She served as Chief Justice from Asar 27, 2073 to Jestha 24, 2074. During her judicial career she handled corruption cases, including sending ministers to jail and refusing to bow to political influence. She built a reputation for standing firm when others might have backed down. That past explains why many now believe she’s the right person in this interim moment.
Karki’s Reputation: Justice Without Fear
Let me explain what people respect her for. She’s known for being principled. She refused to let politicians stretch their power beyond law. She found herself at the center of political controversy when she rejected political interference. She was among the first judges to say that even powerful people must abide by the rules. Balen Shah and many youth activists trusted her because of decisions like these.
The Role of Youth in Her Appointment
Gen-Z protesters had strong opinions about who should steer the country now. They used social media, discussion forums like Discord, even live-streams to talk about candidates. When Shah declined, they proposed Karki’s name. It wasn’t a political party that picked her—it was a generation pushing for change. That gives her appointment credibility.
What Karki Faces Now
Being Nepal’s First Woman Interim Prime Minister isn’t just symbolic. She steps in at a delicate moment. She needs to restore faith in governance. She has to deal with ongoing outrage over violence during protests. She must act with neutrality and fairness. She must avoid showing deference to old power centers. If she fails, the public anger could deepen. But succeed, and she could reset expectations for leadership in Nepal.
Her Legal and Constitutional Mandate
President Paudel appointed Karki under Article 61 (4) of Nepal’s Constitution. That section demands that any interim leader must uphold and protect the Constitution. In other words, her job is not to push partisan agendas—it is to ensure constitutional order, manage the transition, and prepare for elections so that democracy resumes its course.
Public Trust: Why People Look to Her
Public trust is hard to win. Karki earned it by refusing to yield to pressure during her Supreme Court tenure. She avoided grandiose displays, lived a comparatively simple life. Even when impeachment attempts came her way, she stood on legal grounds and didn’t let herself be dragged into political mud. That legacy matters now—it gives the public reason to hope she is different.
Challenges to Watch
She has several challenges ahead:
- Making sure the interim government operates without bias.
- Ensuring peaceful dialogue with youth and protestors.
- Handling political actors who may try to manipulate the interim administration.
- Keeping the government’s actions visible and accountable.
- Preparing free and fair elections.
These are not easy. But they are essential if her interim role is going to mean more than just a temporary fix.
What Her Leadership Could Mean Long Term
Here is what Nepal might gain from her leadership:
- A benchmark for how interim governments should act: transparent, constitutionally grounded.
- Increased faith among young people that political change is possible.
- A shift in how women are viewed in power—if she succeeds, others may follow.
- A precedent: even without a political base, someone trusted for integrity can lead.
Sushila Karki’s appointment as interim leader shows hope is not lost in Nepal. Let’s not settle for symbolic leadership. Demand transparency, respect for the Constitution, and real accountability. Share her story. Encourage the people around you to stay aware, speak up, and make sure this moment becomes more than just headlines.
