Sushila Karki, the former chief justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court, has been named interim prime minister of Nepal following widespread anti-corruption protests that led to the collapse of the government. At 73 years old, Karki is the first woman to assume the nation’s highest executive office, after a consensus was reached with protest leaders.

The mass demonstrations erupted in response to a controversial ban on social media platforms, which escalated into violent clashes between protesters and riot police, resulting in over 50 deaths. Although the ban was repealed on Monday, by then the protests had transformed into a broader movement demanding systemic change. Protesters set fire to the Singha Durbar palace, home to Nepal’s parliament and government offices, on Tuesday, compelling Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.

President Ram Chandra Poudel’s press aide confirmed to the BBC that Karki took the oath of office on Friday evening, following days of negotiations involving the president, protest leaders, and legal experts. Subsequently, the parliament was dissolved, and general elections were scheduled for March 5 of the following year.

Karki is expected to soon form a new cabinet. She is widely respected for her integrity, and her leadership has gained strong support from student activists of the “Gen Z” movement, who see her as a symbol of the political reform they demand.

Her interim government faces significant challenges: re-establishing law and order, rebuilding damaged parliamentary and government structures, addressing the demands of Gen Z protesters, and ensuring that Nepal’s fledgling democracy remains intact. Additionally, Karki must oversee investigations and hold accountable those responsible for the violence.

Her appointment came about through negotiations mediated by Nepal’s army chief. Gen Z activists celebrated the decision on social media, viewing it as a critical step toward reshaping the country’s political landscape.

On her first official day as interim prime minister, Karki visited the protest site in Kathmandu where 19 demonstrators lost their lives during a police crackdown. She also met injured protesters in the hospital.

Born into a family closely linked to the Koirala political dynasty of the major democratic party, Nepali Congress, Karki’s political journey was further supported by her husband, Durga Subedi, a former party leader. Her career progressed from being a lawyer to becoming Nepal’s first female chief justice in 2016. However, her tenure was not without controversy, as she faced an impeachment attempt during her 11-month term.

Despite the army patrolling Kathmandu’s streets and strict restrictions limiting movement to essential purchases, the unrest shows no signs of abating. The protests initially ignited due to the government’s decision to block 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. However, the movement quickly expanded to reflect deeper frustrations with political corruption and the elite class.

Prior to the ban, the “nepo kid” campaign gained traction online, criticizing the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children and highlighting allegations of widespread corruption. Even though the social media restrictions were lifted, the momentum for change remained unstoppable.