Dare to hope

After four days of uncertainty, Nepal appointed Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice and now the first female prime minister, on September 12, 2025.

After four days of uncertainty, Nepal appointed Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice and now the first female prime minister, on September 12, 2025. This moment is historic. Her appointment marked the end of a decade-long relay race for premiership among the three men: Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Karki’s appointment unveils a pragmatic reasoning. Gen-Z recognised the need for an experienced interim leader who is familiar with the existing institutions, can stabilise the government and conduct credible elections that will shape the trajectory of Nepal in the days to come. Her tenure as a former Chief Justice, marked by honesty and integrity, her stance on democracy, her non-affiliation with any political parties since 2016, and her firm advocacy against corruption made her a popular choice among Gen-Z voters. - Riya Chapagain