73-year-old Sushila Karki took the oath of office as Nepal’s acting prime minister, making history as the country’s first female prime minister. Karki, who is also the nation’s first female Chief Justice, was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Poudel, who spent the day consulting with the army chief, constitutional experts, and Gen-Z protest leaders. Karki was the favorite of the activists who took to the streets to protest Oli’s leadership after the KP Sharma-Oli-led government fell during the violent Gen-Z demonstrations.
The topic of dissolving the lower chamber, the chamber of Representatives, either before or after the inauguration of the new prime minister was discussed in length with Gen-Z demonstrators and other interested parties. Even though a number of non-political candidates were proposed as alternatives, Gen-Z demonstrators decided on Karki’s name, which cleared the path for her appointment as prime minister. However, no clause in the constitution permits someone who is not a member of the House of Representatives to occupy the position. Karki was chosen based on the “principle of necessity”.
Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, has been appointed as Prime Minister of Nepal due to her record of protecting the Constitution. However, the principle of necessity, which has been used since the 1950 revolution, is not the rule of law. Karki’s appointment has been praised across Nepal, with former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai praising her integrity and capability. However, concerns have been raised about her ability to coordinate among stakeholders in the current uncertainty. The appointment is seen as a positive step towards a new Nepal, with the youths of Gen Z ready to lead a new country.
Nepal’s Prime Minister, Adhikari, has urged her government to hold elections within a stipulated timeframe and prosecute those responsible for the killing of young protestors and vandalism and arson. The Gen-Z protests have resulted in large-scale destruction of public and private property. Adhikari also called for specific measures to address the demands of Gen-Z protestors related to corruption and good governance. Karki, born in 1952, has a legal background and has been appointed as a senior advocate and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. She delivered a landmark ruling in January 2017 against anti-corruption chief Lok Man Singh Karki.
