Nepal President Dissolves Parliament Amid Deadly Protests, Parties Denounce Move

Nepal's political landscape is in turmoil following President Ram Chandra Poudel's decision to dissolve the House of Representatives on the recommendation of interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The move, effective September 12, 2025, and setting new elections for March 5, 2026, has been widely condemned by major political parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre), as unconstitutional, arbitrary, and a threat to democratic progress. The dissolution came amid violent protests triggered by a social media ban, which escalated into a mass movement resulting in over 50 deaths and the burning of government buildings, including Parliament, leading to the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Despite Karki's appointment, hailed by some protest leaders for her clean image and historic role as Nepal’s first female head of government, political parties have jointly demanded the reinstatement of Parliament, emphasizing that the protesters' demands should be addressed through elected institutions rather than dissolution. Legal experts and parties alike argue that the decision undermines the constitutional framework and calls for vigilance to uphold democratic principles. President Poudel has yet to respond publicly to the united opposition from the political parties.