Nepal has a new prime minister after the coalition government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal collapsed. Khadga Prasad Oli, the leader of Nepal's largest communist party, Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist, was appointed as the new prime minister on July 14, 2024. The appointment came after Dahal lost a confidence vote in parliament on July 12.
Oli has had a long political career and spent 14 years in prison for campaigning against the monarchy. He joined the communist party in 1987 and rose through its ranks, becoming prime minister for the first time in 2015. Oli was re-elected as prime minister in 2018 but was briefly removed from office earlier this year.
Under a power-sharing arrangement, Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress party will rotate in holding the prime minister's post until the 2027 elections. The new coalition aims to ensure political stability by amending some electoral provisions, including trimming the number of seats in Parliament and merging some local governments.
Nepal has seen frequent changes of government since it became a federal republic in 2008. The country has been facing economic challenges, especially after the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its tourism industry. Oli is known for his nationalist views and is seen as more favorable to China than India.
The last government collapse came after Oli's party withdrew its support from Dahal's coalition. The reasons for the split are unclear, but some reports suggest that Oli was offered the prime ministership by the Nepali Congress in exchange for joining their alliance.
Oli will now have to secure a vote of confidence in parliament within a month to continue in office. The two parties, Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist and Nepali Congress, have more than half the members required for a majority vote.
