Sushila Karki becomes Nepal’s first female interim PM

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed Nepal’s interim Prime Minister on Friday by President Ram Chandra Poudel, ending weeks of political uncertainty following the collapse of K P Sharma Oli’s government amid violent protests.

Karki, 73, was sworn in Friday night, with her immediate task to restore law and order after recent unrest saw attacks on political leaders, their homes, and public property. The Nepal Parliament is also set to be dissolved.

At a high-level meeting earlier in the day with President Poudel and leaders of the country’s three largest parties—Oli of CPN (UML), Sher Bahadur Deuba of Nepali Congress, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ of the Maoist Centre—Karki made it clear she would take office only if allowed to investigate corruption at high levels and the police’s excessive use of force that resulted in at least 20 protester deaths. “I will not be interested in the job if my hands and legs are tied and I am totally immobilized,” she said.

Sources said the three party leaders were hesitant to back her precondition, fearing political fallout.

Meanwhile, Gen Z protest leaders and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah endorsed Karki, urging the President to honor the movement’s demands. Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel helped mediate talks, facilitating the formation of a non-partisan interim government.

Karki’s appointment marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead Nepal.