In a country roiled by protests and political collapse, Nepal’s youngest generation has turned to an unlikely tool of governance: a chat app. On Friday, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as Nepal’s interim prime minister after Gen Z protesters rallied behind her candidacy through votes and debates on Discord, a platform more often used for gaming communities than nation-building.
A Movement Born in Protest
The upheaval began when Nepal’s government attempted to ban dozens of social media platforms for failing to comply with new registration rules. The move ignited weeks of demonstrations, led largely by students and young professionals demanding free speech, accountability, and an end to entrenched corruption.
The unrest, marked by violent clashes with security forces that left dozens dead, forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign. In the vacuum that followed, the youth-led protests transformed into an improvised digital parliament.
Choosing a Leader Online
On a Discord server called Youth Against Corruption, where more than 130,000 Nepalis had gathered, members held live debates, circulated manifestos, and voted on potential candidates. Out of this experiment in digital democracy emerged Karki, a 70-year-old jurist known for her independence during her tenure as Nepal’s first female chief justice.
Her appointment was formalized by Nepal’s president, giving protesters not only a symbolic victory but also an unprecedented role in shaping the nation’s interim leadership.
A Historic First, with Uncertain Road Ahead
Karki is now the first woman to lead Nepal as prime minister, tasked with overseeing elections scheduled for March 2026. Supporters see her as a stabilizing figure, someone capable of restoring faith in institutions battered by years of graft and political infighting.
Yet the challenges are immense. The interim government must address the grievances that fueled the protests, guarantee civil liberties, and ensure the upcoming polls are free and fair. Questions also linger over the legitimacy of a selection process that unfolded largely outside traditional constitutional structures.
Digital Democracy on Trial
For Nepal’s restless youth, the use of Discord was less an act of defiance than a declaration of agency. In their eyes, the same platforms the state tried to restrict became vehicles for political renewal.
Whether this experiment in online governance becomes a fleeting moment of protest or a model for participatory politics remains to be seen. For now, Nepal stands as a rare case where digital tools designed for casual conversation have helped shape the future of a nation.
In a historic first, Nepal’s Gen Z protesters used Discord to rally behind former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who has now taken office as the country’s interim prime minister.