Gen Z’s Choice, Nation’s First: Sushila Karki as Prime Minister of Nepal

Gen Z’s demand for change has thrust Sushila Karki, Nepal’s former Chief Justice, into the spotlight as the country’s new Prime Minister. With her appointment by President Ram Chandra Poudel, Karki has made history once again—becoming Nepal’s first female Prime Minister, after previously serving as the first female Chief Justice.

During her oath-taking ceremony, it was announced that she had been appointed under Article 61 of the Constitution with a mandate to hold elections to the House of Representatives within the next six months. However, the formal dissolution of the incumbent Parliament has yet to be declared.

Widely respected for her zero-tolerance stance against corruption, Karki was proposed as prime minister on Wednesday evening at the Army Headquarters, a choice reflecting her legal background, political maturity, and credibility. Young citizens, in particular, view her as impartial and principled, recalling her balanced role during her judicial tenure.

Karki served as Chief Justice from July 10, 2016 to June 9, 2017. Born on June 8, 1952, in Shankhpur, Biratnagar (Morang), she has long been associated with democratic circles. Her husband, Durga Subedi, was a noted pro-democracy activist, and her family maintained close ties with the late BP Koirala.

Her academic journey began at Mahendra Morang Campus, where she completed a BA in 1971, followed by an MA in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University in 1974. She later earned her Bachelor of Law degree from Tribhuvan University in 1977. From 1985 to 1989, she taught at Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan, before entering full-time legal practice.

Starting her legal career in 1978, Karki rose steadily: she became Bar President at the Appellate Court in Biratnagar, a Senior Advocate in 2004, and an ad hoc Supreme Court Justice in 2008. By 2010, she was appointed a permanent Justice, and in 2016, she ascended to Chief Justice.

Her tenure was marked by bold and high-profile rulings. Most notably, she invalidated Lokman Singh Karki’s appointment as Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). She also presided over multiple corruption cases, including the conviction of then-Information and Communications Minister Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, and issued judgments in the Sudan scam.

Her assertiveness, however, drew political pushback. On May 1, 2017, lawmakers from the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) filed an impeachment motion against her. Though backed by 251 MPs, the motion stalled due to parliamentary deadlock. Four days later, a Supreme Court interim order rendered the motion ineffective, reinstating her until her retirement on June 5, 2017.

Now 73 years old, Karki has been appointed as Prime Minister at a moment of political turbulence. For Gen Z, she symbolizes fearlessness and integrity—a leader who has consistently challenged entrenched corruption and defended judicial independence.