Rapper-Turned-Politician Balendra Shah Takes Oath as Nepal’s Prime Minister

Following a landslide election win, 35-year-old Balendra Shah takes office in Nepal, promising job creation and justice for victims of 2025's Gen Z protests.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 4:34 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

A Landslide Victory Born of Protest

Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a commanding 182 seats in the 275-member parliament, a result seen as a direct consequence of the "Gen Z protests" that rocked the country in September 2025. Those anti-corruption demonstrations, which tragically saw 76 people killed during a state crackdown, ultimately led to the resignation of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and the installation of an interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. The election results decimated the traditional parties; the venerable Nepali Congress was relegated to a distant second with only 38 seats, while Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (UML) retained just 25.

The Challenge of Accountability and Justice

One of the most immediate hurdles for the Shah administration is the prosecution of those responsible for the 2025 protest violence. An investigative panel has recommended legal action against high-ranking officials, including former PM K.P. Sharma Oli. For the families of the victims, this is a non-negotiable demand. Political analysts suggest that Shah’s ability to deliver justice while maintaining order will be the definitive "first test" of his leadership. If he fails to act on the panel's findings, he risks alienating the very youth base that propelled him to the President’s House.

Economic Reform and Brain Drain

Nepal’s economic reality is stark: approximately 20% of the population lives in poverty, and an estimated 1,500 citizens leave the country daily in search of work abroad. Shah, who famously retains his signature black Nepali cloth cap and sunglasses even in formal settings, has campaigned on a platform of job creation and "good governance from day one." By focusing on transparent service delivery, Shah aims to curb the endemic corruption that fueled the recent unrest and create an environment where the nation's 30 million people no longer feel forced to seek their futures in the Middle East or elsewhere.