Nepal's Gen Z-led protests trigger political transition talks
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Nepal is facing a major political shift after Gen Z-led protests ousted the prime minister and triggered nationwide unrest, with former chief justice Sushila Karki emerging now as the top choice to lead a proposed interim government
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Protestors clash with the riot police outside the Parliament building in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, September 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Nepal is witnessing a pivotal political transition as youth-led demonstrations continue to reshape the country’s power landscape. Former chief justice Sushila Karki has emerged as the leading choice to head a potential interim government, following days of nationwide unrest led by the so-called "Gen Z" movement.
The protests, which erupted earlier this week over a government-imposed social media ban and deep-rooted corruption, quickly escalated into the most severe political crisis in two decades. At least 19 people have been killed in clashes, and the parliament building in Kathmandu was set ablaze.
On Wednesday, September 10, Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel met with representatives of the protest movement in an attempt to stabilize the situation and discuss a way forward. According to the military’s spokesperson, the army is holding “consultations with related stakeholders,” including youth activists.
“Right now, Sushila Karki's name is coming up to lead the interim government, we are now waiting for the president to make a move,” said Rakshya Bam, one of the youth leaders involved in the meeting. “The conversation was about how we can move forward, keeping the peace and security of the country.”
Read more: Nepal closes India border crossings amid widening unrest
Sushila Karki: A neutral figure amid political turmoil
Sushila Karki, 73, is Nepal’s first female chief justice and a respected academic. Speaking to AFP, she emphasized the need for expert guidance during this transition period.
“Experts need to come together to figure out the way forward,” she said, stressing that “the parliament still stands.”
Karki’s potential role has sparked both hope and debate. While many youth protesters support her leadership, divisions remain within the decentralized movement, which lacks a unified front or formal leadership structure.
The former chief justice is known in Nepal for her zero-tolerance stance on corruption and was impeached in 2017 under the motion of using personal bias in her decision-making.
Discord debates reflect fragmented youth movement
Thousands of young protesters have taken to online platforms like Discord to debate leadership choices and long-term goals. The online forums have revealed the movement's internal differences, with multiple names proposed and no clear consensus.
“There are divisions,” said journalist Pranaya Rana. “It is natural in a decentralized movement like this that there are going to be competing interests and competing voices.”
Read more: Nepalese army urges protesters to appoint representative
Troops remain deployed throughout Kathmandu, with military checkpoints dotting key intersections. While the capital appeared calm on Thursday, tension remains high.
The youth-led movement continues to call for systemic change, and the formation of an interim government may only be the beginning of a longer political transition in the Himalayan nation of 30 million.
