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Beyond Populist Fixes: A Smarter Path to Stability in Nepal’s Democracy

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Nepal’s dramatic Himalayan landscape belies a political turmoil marked by frequent leadership changes. Since the end of the monarchy in 2008, Nepal has cycled through governments at a breakneck pace 14 different prime ministers in 16 years. This chronic instability frustrates voters and fuels demands for change. In recent youth-led “Gen Z” protests (2025), demonstrators even used online platforms (e.g. Discord) to symbolically select an interim leader. These populist actions underscore deep dissatisfaction with the status quo and have intensified calls to reform how Nepal chooses its executive. In particular, some advocate directly electing the prime minister by popular vote. At first glance this seems democratic and stable, but a closer analysis  drawing on Nepal’s experience and international examples reveals serious downsides on both fronts. The Parliamentary Framework in Nepal Today Nepal’s 2015 Constitution establishes a parliamentary republic: the executive power rests ...
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Nepal’s Electricity Dilemma: Selling Cheap, Buying Costly

Biratnagar, February 25, 2025 – Nepal’s hydropower resources have begun to illuminate more than just homes and businesses; they now represent an increasingly valuable source of national revenue. Yet, beneath the glow of export earnings lies a growing concern: the enduring price disparity between electricity Nepal sells to India and the significantly higher rates it pays when buying power back during the dry season. This tension not only weakens short-term financial gains but also hinders the nation’s capacity to nurture a sustainable industrial landscape. In the first five months of the current fiscal year, coinciding with the monsoon months of Shrawan through Mangsir in 2081 B.S., the Nepal Electricity Authority reported the export of 1.76 billion units of surplus electricity to India. These sales generated NPR 13.04 billion in revenue, translating to an average of NPR 7.39 per unit . Yet, as the rivers wane and dry season descends, the NEA is compelled to import electricity at consid...
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