Sushila Karki Becomes Nepal’s First-Ever Woman Prime Minister Amid Political Turmoil

Nepal has appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the country’s interim Prime Minister, making her the first woman in Nepal’s history to hold the post. The decision came late Friday evening after President Ram Chandra Poudel swore her in following days of nationwide protests and intense political negotiations.

Karki, 73, was a surprise pick amid a political crisis triggered by the fall of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government earlier this week. Massive Gen-Z-led protests, demanding political accountability, justice, and systemic reform, led to violent clashes across the country and forced the government to step down. At least 51 people, including security personnel, were killed in the unrest, according to Nepal Police.

Although Karki's appointment has received widespread praise, it has also raised significant constitutional questions. Nepal’s Constitution clearly states that only a member of the House of Representatives can become Prime Minister. Furthermore, it bars former Chief Justices or Supreme Court judges from taking any government office. Karki holds neither a parliamentary seat nor constitutional eligibility for the role. Her appointment was made under the “principle of necessity,” a rarely invoked but historically used legal loophole during national crises.

Legal experts have voiced concern about setting a dangerous precedent, but many believe Karki’s track record of integrity and constitutional commitment makes her a trustworthy caretaker. Bipin Adhikari, a leading constitutional lawyer, stated that although the principle of necessity is not part of the rule of law, Karki can be relied upon — provided the arrangement remains temporary and elections are held within a reasonable timeframe.

Karki, a well-respected figure in Nepal’s judiciary, previously served as the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 2016. She is known for her landmark verdicts, including disqualifying the controversial anti-corruption chief Lok Man Singh Karki and convicting a sitting minister on corruption charges. Her brief suspension over a controversial ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court, reinstating her to the top judicial post.

The Gen-Z protest movement, largely driven by youth frustrated with political corruption and lack of opportunities, had insisted on a clean, non-political interim leader. After days of consultations between the President, activists, legal experts, and the army chief, Karki emerged as a consensus choice. Her appointment was formally backed by protest leaders who saw her as a symbol of constitutional integrity.

Karki was born in 1952 in Biratnagar, Morang District. She pursued her education at Tribhuvan University and later at Banaras Hindu University in India, earning degrees in law and political science. She began practicing law in 1979 and rose through the ranks to become a senior advocate and later a Supreme Court judge.

Her husband, Durga Subedi, was a Nepali Congress member involved in the country’s first plane hijacking in 1973 to fund the party’s movement against the autocratic Panchayat regime.

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha were among those who welcomed her appointment, urging national unity and support for her transitional leadership. Bhattarai praised the youth movement’s decision, calling it a step toward a "new Nepal."

As the country navigates a volatile political landscape, observers say Karki’s government faces three immediate challenges: restoring order, addressing protestors’ demands around governance and justice, and preparing for fresh elections. Whether her tenure can bring the stability the nation desperately needs remains to be seen.