Kathmandu, Nepal — In a major political address on Constitution Day, Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel justified the formation of the country’s interim government, stating that it was the only viable path forward following a month of deadly student-led protests. The protests, which were spearheaded by “Gen Z” activists and fueled by widespread frustration over government corruption and a controversial social media ban, led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the dissolution of Parliament.
Poudel explained that the decision to form the interim government for a period of six months was reached by consensus, as there was no other constitutional way to form a new council of ministers from the existing House of Representatives.
A New Era of Change and Youth Empowerment
The uprising, which tragically left 72 people dead, marked a dramatic and unprecedented shift in Nepal’s political landscape. In a historic first, the “Gen Z” protesters chose Sushila Karki, a former chief justice known for her integrity, to serve as the interim Prime Minister. She is the first woman to hold the country’s highest office. The move underscores the depth of public anger and a generational demand for meaningful change and reform.
In his address, President Poudel acknowledged the protesters’ calls, stating that Nepal has once again embarked on a new path of change with new dreams. He appealed for continued support from friendly nations as Nepal navigates this difficult transition and urged the nation to heed the call of the young generation for an end to corruption.
A Clear Mandate for the Interim Government
President Poudel laid out the key responsibilities of the new interim government: to oversee the reconstruction of national losses, conduct elections within six months, and hand over power to a newly elected government.
“I firmly believe that the new people’s mandate will further institutionalize democracy and determine the future course of the country,” Poudel said, emphasizing that this extraordinary step was taken to ensure the country’s stability and move forward after a period of significant turmoil.