Gen Z Protestors Choose Sushila Karki as Nepal’s First Female Prime Minister via Discord
Nepal’s new interim prime minister is Sushila Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice, chosen through a grassroots digital vote organized by Gen Z protestors on Discord after the collapse of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government.
The historic appointment makes Karki the first woman to lead Nepal, coming in the wake of violent anti-government protests triggered by a ban on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The movement, largely led by youth, quickly evolved into a wider rebellion against corruption and unemployment.
Over 51 people were killed, and more than 1,300 injured as protesters clashed with police, torched government buildings — including the historic Singha Durbar — and forced multiple cabinet resignations. With a power vacuum in place, the military imposed a curfew and took control of Kathmandu.
During this period, Gen Z organizers turned to Discord, a U.S.-based chat platform, to coordinate the next phase of the movement. A server with over 145,000 members hosted debates and votes, eventually nominating Karki as the interim leader — widely praised for her integrity and anti-corruption record.
“The parliament of Nepal right now is Discord,” said 23-year-old content creator Sid Ghimiri.
The decision was formalized with agreement from President Ramchandra Paudel, Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, and leaders of the protest movement. Karki was sworn in on September 12, 2025.
Who is Sushila Karki?
Karki served as Nepal’s chief justice, known for landmark rulings — including convicting a sitting minister for corruption and annulling a politically influenced police chief appointment. Her bold judicial stance once led to an attempted impeachment by lawmakers, which was later withdrawn after public backlash.
She is also a former political prisoner from Nepal’s 1990 pro-democracy movement and author of the novel Kara, based on her time in jail.
As one of her first acts as interim PM, Karki dissolved parliament and announced general elections for March 5, 2026.
Her appointment has been hailed as a turning point in Nepal’s history — both for democratic renewal and for women's leadership in South Asia.
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