Khadga Prasad Oli, the leader of Nepal’s largest communist party, was named the country’s new prime minister on July 14, following the collapse of the previous coalition government.
A statement from the president’s office confirmed that Oli, who is also a veteran politician and has served as prime minister three times, will take the oath of office on July 15.
Oli’s new government will be a coalition formed between his Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and the Nepali Congress party, the two largest political forces in the country.
The previous government, headed by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, collapsed on Friday after Oli’s party withdrew its support and aligned with the Nepali Congress to form the new alliance.
As part of his new mandate, Oli will have to secure a vote of confidence in parliament within the next month. The new coalition, however, has enough parliamentary support, holding more than half of the seats needed to maintain a majority.
One of Oli’s most significant challenges will be navigating Nepal’s complex diplomatic relations with its powerful neighbors, India and China. Nepal, a landlocked country, shares a border with both nations, with India surrounding it on three sides.
The country depends heavily on India for imports, including oil and other supplies, while China has been increasing its influence in the region, further complicating Nepal’s foreign policy.
At 72 years old, Oli is a seasoned political figure who has been active in Nepalese politics for decades. He rose through the ranks of the Communist Party and spent a total of 14 years in prison for his opposition to the country’s autocratic monarchy.
Oli’s political activism helped push for the 1990 protests that led to the restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal, eventually abolishing the monarchy in 2008.
Despite health challenges, including multiple kidney transplant surgeries, Oli remains a prominent figure in Nepali politics. His leadership in this new coalition government marks a significant moment in Nepal’s ongoing political evolution.
South Asia Politics 