Power Shift in Nepal’s Parliament with New Coalition
Khadga Oli was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister on Monday after his Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) formed a coalition government with the centre-left Nepali Congress. This marks Oli’s fourth term as Prime Minister.
Oli, 72, leader of the second-largest party in the parliament, previously served as Prime Minister in 2015, 2018, and briefly in 2021. In a country of about 30 million people, located between giants India and China, Oli has balanced relationships with both nations, seeking to reduce Nepal’s dependency on India by strengthening ties with China.
“I, KP Sharma Oli, in the name of the country and people, pledge that I will be loyal to the constitution… and fulfil my duty as the prime minister,” Oli declared as President Ram Poudel administered the oath of office.
Oli’s return follows the fall of his predecessor, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who lost a vote of confidence on Friday, just 18 months into his term. Dahal, a former Maoist guerrilla commander known by his nom de guerre Prachanda (“The Fierce One”), was forced to step down after Oli’s party withdrew support.
Oli has forged a deal with Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, promising to yield the post to the former five-time Prime Minister, 78, later in the parliamentary term.
Nepal’s next general elections are scheduled for 2027.
