Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in on Friday as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, making history as the first woman to hold the post. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath at a ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, the presidential residence in Kathmandu.
Karki’s appointment comes in the wake of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation earlier this week, following massive Gen Z–led protests demanding political accountability and a non-partisan leadership. The youth-driven movement, frustrated by corruption and stagnation, pushed for a neutral figure to guide Nepal through its transition.
Chosen through a public vote organized by Gen Z leaders on Discord, Karki emerged as a consensus candidate—respected by both young activists and traditional political circles. Her mandate includes restoring order, overseeing elections, and advancing development.
Born in 1952 in Biratnagar, Karki’s legal career spans decades. After earning degrees from Banaras Hindu University and Tribhuvan University, she began practicing law in 1979. Rising through the ranks, she became Nepal’s first female Chief Justice in 2016, known for landmark rulings against corruption. Though nominated under the Nepali Congress quota, she maintained judicial independence until her tenure ended in 2017 after a controversial impeachment attempt.
Colleagues describe her as courageous, principled, and deeply committed to democratic values. Former Supreme Court Justice Ananda Mohan Bhattarai called her “a true Gandhian” and praised her willingness to take on the enormous responsibility of guiding the country through crisis.
Senior advocate Bipin Adhikari noted that Karki must build a strong, credible team to steer Nepal forward, while Gen Z activists hail her as a trustworthy guardian of their movement.
Her appointment comes amid national grief over the deadly Gen Z protests earlier this month, which left scores dead and widespread destruction, including damage to Parliament and government offices. In a joint statement, parliamentary leaders expressed condolences to victims’ families and called for unity to rebuild the country.
With her record of integrity and resilience, Karki now faces the challenge of bridging generations, stabilizing the nation, and steering Nepal into a new political chapter.
