Nepal's Generation Z revolt: Ephemeral change or lasting impact?

Nepal's political scene is experiencing a significant transformation, driven by widespread discontent among its youth. The recent elections saw the Independent National Party (Rastriya Swatantra Party, RSP), co-founded in 2022 and now led by rapper Balendra Shah, achieve a stunning victory. The RSP captured nearly 46% of the vote, securing a substantial majority in the lower house – a feat not seen since 1959.

This shift marks a departure from the decades-long dominance of traditional parties such as the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and the Nepali Congress. The election results, following massive protests last September largely spearheaded by the country's Generation Z, underscore a deep-seated disillusionment with the established political class. Observers note that this transition is more complex than previous political upheavals in the Himalayan nation, which has seen a civil war, the abolition of monarchy, and a series of unstable coalitions since 1991.

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This transition is much more distinct and much more complicated than all the previous ones we have had over the last 35 years.

Frustration had been simmering for years, exacerbated by issues like declining agricultural output due to climate change. The breaking point for many came when the traditionally rival UML and Nepali Congress parties formed a coalition and, in September last year, imposed a ban on social media. This move was perceived as a final affront by a political elite accustomed to impunity, especially since social media had become a crucial platform for youth expression and political dissent.

The youth-led movement, which coincided with similar protests by Generation Z in other countries like Peru, Indonesia, and Morocco, ultimately catalyzed the change in Nepal. While some view the movement as an expression of anger rather than a cohesive political vision, it may have attracted diverse interests, including monarchist sympathizers and dissenting factions from traditional parties. Former minister Sarbadev Prasad Ojha, while acknowledging the need for leadership change, expressed skepticism about the new government's longevity, predicting parliamentary deadlock within a year due to the RSP's lack of control over the upper house.

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I believe it was more an expression of anger from the youth than a movement with a specific vision.