Will Generation Z’s protests succeed in bringing new faces to parliament?1
Political leadership in Nepal is further dominated by repeated tenures of senior figures. Leaders such as 80-year-old Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, 73-year-old CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, and 70-year-old CPN (Maoist Centre) chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal continue to occupy top positions, with younger generations blocked even at lower positions. Many leaders serve multiple terms as ministers, consolidating power and limiting opportunities for youth.
Youth activist and lawyer Anjalika Sinha criticised the entrenched political culture. “Corruption isn’t only about money—it’s also about the hunger for power. Old leaders dominate these positions, blocking fresh ideas from taking root,” she said, describing the relentless pursuit of authority as a form of power grab adventurism.
Two weeks after the protests, long-standing political leaders have shown no signs of relinquishing their position. Observers say party-level interventions and clear rules on term and age limits are necessary to allow youth leadership to emerge.
