Nepal's president appoints former chief justice as interim premier and first female leader

Nepal ‘s president on Friday appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister and the first woman to head the Himalayan nation’s government, following fiery protests that collapsed the previous administration.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal’s president on Friday appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister and the first woman to head the Himalayan nation’s government, following fiery protests that collapsed the previous administration.

Karki, a popular figure when serving as the court’s only female chief justice in 2016 and 2017, was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Poudel at the presidential residence in a small ceremony broadcast on state-run television. Politicians, officials and foreign diplomats invited at the ceremony congratulated her.

Karki, 73, was known for her stand against corruption in the government while in office. Some lawmakers tried to impeach her in April 2017, accusing her of bias, but the move was unsuccessful and was criticized at the time as an attack on the judiciary.

Street demonstrations starting Monday in Kathmandu over a social media ban turned violent, with protesters attacking government buildings and police opening fire. Though the ban was rescinded, the unrest continued over broader grievances, with tens of thousands of protesters attacking and burning the parliament, the presidential residence and businesses.

The violence prompted Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign Tuesday and flee his official residence. Nepal’s army took control of the capital Tuesday night, and started negotiations among the protesters, army and president over an interim government.