'Making efforts to resolve current situation': Nepal President assures citizens; no consensus on next leader

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel issued a statement on Thursday, amid uncertainty over who will lead a proposed interim government following the collapse of the KP Sharma Oli administration after a youth-led protest.

Paudel assured citizens he is making "every effort to find a way out of the current situation."


“Respected brothers and sisters, I am making every effort to find a way out of the current difficult situation in the country within the constitutional framework and to protect democracy and maintain peace and order in the country. I appeal to all parties to be confident that a solution to the problem is being sought as soon as possible to address the demands of the agitating citizens and to cooperate with restraint in maintaining peace and order,” he said.


The protesters—dubbed "Gen Z"—have put forward three names for caretaker prime minister: former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, the only woman to have held the post; rapper-turned-Kathmandu mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah; and the current frontrunner, Kulman Ghising, former managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority.

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The dramatic protests that brought down the Oli government began on Monday, sparked by a ban on social media apps. They soon swelled into a broader movement against corruption, unemployment, and the privileges of “nepo kids” — politicians’ children living lavishly abroad.

Although the social media ban was revoked, the killing of protesters in a security crackdown ignited massive outrage, triggering widespread destruction of property — including government buildings — and attacks on politicians.

As Nepal Police struggled to maintain order, the army assumed control of security and has been holding talks with representatives of the protestors on the leadership of the interim administration.