8 months ago
Gen Z Protests Reshape Nepal's Politics
In 2025, young people in Nepal, known as Gen Z, were very upset with their government.
They protested because they were tired of corruption and bad leadership.
The government had banned popular social media apps, which made the protests even bigger.
The protests were sometimes violent, and many people were hurt or killed.
The prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, had to step down, and a new leader, Sushila Karki, took over.
She is the first woman to be prime minister of Nepal.
The country is now getting ready for new elections in 2026.
Some people think this might bring new leaders, but others are not so sure.
The protests caused a lot of damage and cost the country a lot of money.
It's still not clear if these changes will last or if the old leaders will come back.
Meanwhile, KP Sharma Oli has returned to lead the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) for a third term, despite the protests.
Gen Z protests in Nepal led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli due to corruption and governance failures.
The government's ban on 26 social media apps triggered mass demonstrations and violence, with at least 51 deaths reported.
Sushila Karki became Nepal's first female prime minister, leading an interim government after Oli's resignation.
Elections are scheduled for 5 March 2026, with traditional parties like the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML criticizing the process.
KP Sharma Oli has returned to lead the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) for a third term, despite the protests.
- Who
- Gen Z protesters, Nepalese government, traditional political parties
- What
- Mass protests leading to government resignation and political changes
- Where
- Nepal, particularly Kathmandu
- When
- Protests peaked in September 2025, elections scheduled for March 2026
- Why
- Frustration over corruption, economic woes, and governance failures
Key facts
- Protest Trigger
- Government banned 26 social media apps on 4 September 2025
- Protest Casualties
- At least 51 deaths reported, including protesters and police
- Interim Prime Minister
- Sushila Karki, first female PM of Nepal
- Election Date
- 5 March 2026
- Estimated Protest Losses
- 586 million US dollars
- New Communist Party Leaders
- Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) and Madhav Kumar Nepal
- CPN-UML Chairman
- KP Sharma Oli
Sources
From Kathmandu to Lima: How Gen Z shook politics across the world in 2025
Year-Ender: Nepal politics saw a tectonic shift after Gen Z protests of 2025
Nepal Supreme Court issues notice to PM Kharki, President on plea to declare interim govt void
