Nepal gets 1st female interim prime minister after deadly protests

Days after deadly protests erupted on the streets of Nepal and overthrew the government, the South Asian country has appointed its first female interim prime minister, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki.

According to AP News, Nepal's President Ram Chandra Poudel made the appointment, as well as dissolved parliament, on Sep. 12.

He also set the next elections for Mar. 5, 2026 under the recommendation of Karki.

Anti-corruption figure

Karki, 73, is already a well-known figure in her country, having served as the court's only female chief justice to date.

She is noted as a key anti-corruption figure, making her appointment well-received by Gen Z protesters after days of demonstrations against corruption in the government.

She is less popular with other groups, however, having been the target of impeachment attempts in 2017, and was seen by some as a "consensus candidate", Al Jazeera reported.

Karki was sworn in by the president on Sep. 12 in a small broadcasted ceremony.

Restrictions eased

Following the interim government's step into power, curfews and prohibitory orders in capital city Kathmandu have gradually lifted, according to Al Jazeera.

Sensitive areas, presumably including government houses, remain out of bounds.

This comes after days of protests across the country that has left 51 dead, more than 1,300 injured and thousands of escaped prisoners, local police said.

The demonstrations grew increasingly violent over the course of the week.

Nepal's former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal stepped down amidst the chaos, while his house was looted and his wife killed after protesters torched his house.

Former finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was swarmed by crowds through the streets of Kathmandu, kicked and beaten.

Key buildings, including the parliament house and Kathmandu's tallest building Hilton Hotel were also burnt down.

The ongoing public anger against corruption was further fuelled by a government ban on social media, implemented on Sep. 4, which has since been lifted.

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Top images via AFP & Fernandez EJ/Facebook