Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel on Friday appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister, making her the first woman to lead the country. Her appointment follows the collapse of the K P Sharma Oli government after violent protests that left at least 20 dead. The Nepal Parliament is set to be dissolved.
Karki, 73, was sworn in on Friday night, pledging to restore order and investigate corruption in high places as well as the excessive use of force by police. She made it clear she would not lead a powerless government. Her demand for a high-powered probe has unsettled leaders of the three major political parties—CPN (UML), Nepali Congress, and Maoist Centre—who fear political damage.
Gen Z protest leaders and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah endorsed Karki’s leadership, rejecting the reluctance of established parties. The appointment was made after mediation by Nepal Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, who helped bring youth leaders and political figures to the table for a consensus on a non-party interim leader.
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