• Nepal appoints Sushila Karki as its first female Prime Minister.
• Parliament dissolved, fresh elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.
• Widespread protests led to at least 51 deaths during civil unrest.

Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel has officially dissolved parliament and called for fresh elections on March 5, 2026, following a tumultuous week marked by violent protests. This significant political turning point came just hours after Paudel appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the nation's first female Prime Minister, indicating a commitment to address the recent civil unrest, which was largely driven by youth protests against government corruption and a controversial social media ban, according to Indiatimes and Reuters.

The deadly protests, which forced the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, resulted in substantial loss of life, with at least 51 reported casualties and over 1,300 injuries. The unrest had reportedly arisen from deep-rooted discontent over economic issues and political nepotism, culminating in a movement led by the younger generation, commonly referred to as the "Gen Z" protests. In response, the government is now focusing on restoring order as Karki assumes her new role, according to The Jakarta Post and Al Jazeera.

On the day of her appointment, Prime Minister Karki expressed her intent to lead the nation toward stability and progress. The announcement of fresh elections was made following extensive dialogue with military and political leaders, including army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, reflecting a collaborative approach in managing the crisis. Meanwhile, India extended its support, emphasizing commitment to Nepal's stability, as noted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's congratulatory message on social media, according to TRT World and Dawn.

As the situation begins to stabilize, with curfews lifted and businesses reopening in Kathmandu, concerns remain high regarding the demands of the families of those who died during the protests. Some relatives have begun organizing for recognition of their lost loved ones as martyrs, advocating for governmental acknowledgement and compensation for their sacrifice, underlining the social tensions still present in this transitional period for Nepal, as reported by Dawn and Al Jazeera.