Nepal’s Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki To Be Sworn In As Interim PM Shortly

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 19:46 IST

Sushila Karki to be sworn in as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister after talks with President Ramchandra Paudel and Gen-Z protest leaders.

Nepal's former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. (IMAGE: X/RONBUpdates)

Nepal’s political crisis reached a dramatic turning point, with sources confirming to CNN-News18 that former chief justice Sushila Karki will be sworn in as the country’s interim Prime Minister at 8:45 pm tonight at Sheetal Niwas, the presidential residence. The announcement came after intense talks between President Ramchandra Paudel, Sushila Karki and representatives of the Gen-Z protest movement, who had demanded sweeping political change following last week’s deadly unrest.

After her appointment, Sushila Karki will begin the work of forming and leading the interim Council of Ministers. Preparations are already underway at Sheetal Niwas, with Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal overseeing the drafting of the appointment letter, the swearing-in ceremony and the Cabinet’s first meeting. While only a small cabinet is expected initially, the names of its members are being kept under wraps, sources told CNN-News18.

From Deadlock To Breakthrough In Talks

As part of the agreement, Nepal’s Parliament will be dissolved, clearing the way for Sushila Karki’s elevation through a constitutional adjustment. Sources said she will first be nominated to the upper house before formally assuming the premiership- a workaround designed to keep the process within the 2015 Constitution.

Earlier in the day, doubts had emerged when reports suggested her elevation had hit a roadblock. But the breakthrough came after President Paudel held back-to-back discussions with youth leaders, who have spearheaded the Gen-Z protests that left at least 51 people dead and more than 1,300 injured.

The unrest, Nepal’s worst in years, was sparked by a controversial social media ban, later rolled back, and spiraled into violent clashes across the country. Tensions only began to ease after the resignation of President KP Sharma Oli.

Sushila Karki, 73, is Nepal’s first and only female chief justice, widely respected for her honesty and her tough stance against corruption. Her appointment is being hailed as a step toward restoring stability after days of chaos. Yet her interim premiership will face immediate tests- balancing public anger, political demands and mounting international scrutiny as Nepal attempts to steer out of crisis.

News world Sushila Karki To Be Sworn In As Nepal’s Interim PM Tonight, Cabinet Formation Underway

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