Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has promised to step down within six months, pledging to hold elections in March 2026 and launch urgent reforms to tackle corruption. The move comes after weeks of violent protests that forced former leader K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
According to several news sources, Karki stressed that her government will act only as a caretaker until the vote. “We will govern according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” she said, addressing the youth-led demonstrations demanding transparency and accountability.
Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki during her first public appearance after taking office, pledging a six-month transitional government and reforms to tackle corruption Photo Courtesy Reuters
The protests were initially triggered by a controversial social media ban, but they soon spiraled into a nationwide movement against inequality and entrenched corruption. At least 72 people were killed, and government offices as well as politicians’ homes were set ablaze.
To address public anger, the interim government has promised compensation of one million Nepalese rupees (about US$7,500) for the families of those killed. Injured protesters will receive free medical treatment, with hospitals directed to provide care at no cost. Officials say this package is aimed at recognizing the loss suffered by grieving families while easing financial burdens.
President Ram Chandra Poudel has already dissolved parliament and confirmed the election date for March 5, 2026. Karki has reiterated that her administration will not exceed its six-month tenure.
Still, doubts remain. Many Nepalis fear that systemic corruption cannot be dismantled in half a year. Protesters argue that promises of compensation and reform, while important, will mean little without structural change. For families who lost loved ones, financial support brings some relief, but it cannot replace the lives cut short.
Observers across South Asia are watching closely. With youth-led movements reshaping politics in the region, Nepal’s six-month transition will determine whether its democracy can emerge stronger — or whether anger will flare again.
