“This moment will pave the way for a peaceful election”: Nepal’s Gen Z picks interim Prime Minister on Discord

After the demonstrations that took place on September 8 in the streets of Nepal, the Gen Z movement agreed via Discord to elect former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the interim and first female Prime Minister.

The protests were triggered by frustration over a social media ban imposed by former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli.

What began as youth-led demonstrations escalated into clashes that caused civilian and police casualties, ultimately leading to his resignation.

In the aftermath, protesters turned to online debate to determine the next steps.

According to Al Jazeera, the Discord group deliberated for hours before selecting former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who is known for her strong stance against corruption.

Mixmag Asia spoke with Bhushan Shilpakar, part of the Echoes in the Valley organising team and founder of arts management company Shilpakar & Co., who confirmed that Karki was “the best candidate among the others”.

He continued: “I believe this is one of the most vulnerable times for us as Nepalis. The future feels uncertain, yet there is a collective hope that this moment will pave the way for a peaceful election where people can choose the right candidates. For that to happen, mainstream parties must take responsibility—addressing the issues within their own ranks—while capable young leaders step forward to compete and bring fresh energy into the political process.

Bhushan also added “And for that to happen, the current interim government has the most crucial role to play, making sure they deliver for what they were selected for the position.”

Read this next: “Nepali youth have minimal employment”: Gen Z uprising targets “nepo kids” & corruption

For many young Nepalis, the movement represents more than a leadership change; it reflects decades of lived instability.

Smarika Phuyal, who is part of Echoes in the Valley, told Mixmag Asia: “As Nepali Gen Zs, we have grown up surrounded by instability. When we were born, the Maoist revolution (1996–2006) was still ongoing. Right after the revolution, our childhoods were marked by shutdowns, bombings, blackouts, and curfews. I still remember witnessing all these as a 4–5-year-old. That revolution overthrew the monarchy and brought elections, but instead of stability, we saw more chaos”.

Read this next: “The system constantly undermines us”: protests in Jakarta expose anger over parliament pay, labour rights & police violence

She added: “For too long, Nepali young people have been dismissed, they have always been told ‘you don’t know anything, you don’t understand’. While it’s true we lack experience, we have always been willing to listen, to learn, and to take responsibility. This movement is our way of showing that we care about Nepal, that we want to study and work here, that we want to contribute to our country’s future. We had to be loud because we want to be heard”.

The unrest has also taken a toll on Nepal’s music scene, as explained by Monika Tamang Goley aka DJ Monika: “The music scene has been hit hard. September/October and March/April are normally our most vibrant seasons for festivals and events, but everything has been cancelled or put on hold. For many of us, music isn’t just work—it’s also how we heal and how we help our communities heal.”

Sushila Karki will hold office until Nepal’s next democratic elections are held on March 5, 2026.

Via Independent & Reuters

Daniela Solano is a freelance writer for Mixmag Asia, follow her on Instagram here.

Cut through the noise—sign up for our weekly Scene Report or follow us on Instagram to get the latest from Asia and the Asian diaspora!