Nepal is in the middle of one of its most turbulent political moments in years. Weeks of youth-led protests had already pushed Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign, leaving a leadership vacuum at the very top. Demonstrators, many of them from Generation Z, refused to step back until a new face they trusted stepped in. Out of this unrest came an unexpected choice: Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice, now sworn in as interim Prime Minister.

At 73, Karki brings decades of experience in law and public service. But the question now hanging over the Himalayan nation is whether she can calm the storm and steer Nepal toward stability, or if her tenure will become another short chapter in a long story of political upheaval.

The Swearing-In

On a tense Friday evening in Kathmandu, President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Sushila Karki. The ceremony was brief but symbolic. A woman once sidelined through an impeachment attempt was now returning at the very top, not as a judge this time but as the head of government.

The crowd outside the presidential palace included protest leaders carrying placards that read “A New Beginning” and “Justice for Nepal.” The symbolism was powerful. The choice of Karki was not made in parliament, nor in the backrooms of party politics, but on the streets.

Early Life and Education

Sushila Karki was born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, a city close to the Indian border. Her childhood was shaped by the rhythms of a border town where trade, culture, and politics flowed freely. Karki often recalls visiting markets across the India-Nepal boundary, experiences that made her feel connected to both nations.

She completed her bachelor’s degree in Biratnagar in 1972, then crossed into India for higher education. In 1975, she earned a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University, a time she describes as deeply formative. Her ties to India remained strong, both emotionally and professionally.

A Career in Law

Karki’s path into law began in 1978 when she joined Tribhuvan University to study legal sciences. A year later, she started practicing law in Biratnagar. By the mid-1980s, she was teaching at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dharan while building her reputation as a sharp and principled lawyer.

Her defining break came in 2009, when she was appointed a temporary judge in Nepal’s Supreme Court. Within a year, her appointment became permanent. Colleagues described her as diligent, fearless, and committed to judicial independence. Those qualities set the stage for the role that made her a national figure.

First Woman Chief Justice

In 2016, Sushila Karki shattered a glass ceiling when she became the acting Chief Justice, and soon after, the first woman Chief Justice of Nepal. Her tenure lasted from July 2016 to June 2017. It was a historic achievement, one that symbolized progress for Nepal’s judiciary and for women in public life.

But it was not an easy ride. She presided during politically sensitive times, often ruling against government decisions. Her stance against corruption and favoritism earned her praise from reformists but hostility from powerful political actors.

The Impeachment Drama

The toughest moment of her judicial career arrived in April 2017. The government introduced an impeachment motion against her, accusing her of bias and interference in executive matters. The move was widely seen as politically motivated, designed to punish a judge who would not bend under pressure.

Karki was immediately suspended. But public reaction turned the tide. Citizens, lawyers, and activists rallied to her side, demanding respect for judicial independence. The Supreme Court itself intervened, halting parliamentary proceedings. Under mounting pressure, lawmakers withdrew the motion just weeks later.

Instead of diminishing her stature, the impeachment saga turned her into a symbol of resilience. She had faced down the system and emerged stronger. That image now plays a direct role in her elevation as interim Prime Minister.

Why Protesters Backed Her

The protests that toppled Oli were not driven by traditional party politics. They were led by young people angry at corruption, unemployment, and the lack of accountability. This generation does not want recycled politicians.

That’s why Sushila Karki became an appealing choice. She had no direct ties to the main political parties. She carried a reputation for independence and honesty. She also represented a break from the cycle of male-dominated politics. For demonstrators, choosing Karki was less about ideology and more about trust.

The Challenges Ahead

Karki inherits a country at a crossroads. On one hand, Nepal faces pressing economic issues: inflation, a stagnant job market, and heavy reliance on remittances. On the other hand, the political class remains fractured, with parties jostling for influence even as the interim government takes shape.

Her immediate challenge is to restore public faith in the system. That means organizing a roadmap for elections, stabilizing governance, and managing tensions between rival political groups. It also means working with security forces to ensure protests do not spiral into violence again.

Another layer of complexity lies in Nepal’s foreign relations. Sandwiched between India and China, Nepal often finds itself balancing delicate interests. Karki’s past education and cultural ties to India may ease relations on one side, but she will also need to reassure Beijing of Nepal’s neutrality.

A Symbolic Moment for Women

What this really means is that Nepal, for the first time, has a woman who has led both the judiciary and now the government, even if only in an interim capacity. This dual achievement is rare in any country, and it sends a signal to younger women across Nepal that political leadership is not out of reach.

For many citizens, Karki represents not just an interim solution but also a vision of what is possible when integrity takes precedence over political calculation.

Can She Deliver Stability?

The real test lies ahead. Interim governments in Nepal’s history have often struggled to hold together. Karki’s advantage is that she is not burdened with party baggage. Her disadvantage is that she lacks a political base of her own. Whether she can command enough cooperation from entrenched politicians will determine how effective her tenure can be.

Nepal has seen leaders come and go, often with little long-term progress to show. If Karki manages to even partially deliver on stability and electoral transparency, her short term could leave a lasting mark.

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