Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper, successfully defeated former Prime Minister Sharma KP Oli in Nepal's general election and is poised to become the country's new prime minister.
On Saturday, 7 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Nepal's Election Commission confirmed that Balendra Shah's party won the general election. Shah himself unseated key rival Sharma KP Oli in Oli's own electoral district with a vote count of 68,348 to 18,734, securing a parliamentary seat.
The general election held on Thursday, 5 Mar 2026 GMT+7, was the first since Gen Z protests toppled the government in September last year. It was a contest between established politicians and a new generation representing Gen Z's anger and demand for change.
Shah, who resigned as Kathmandu mayor in January to contest Oli's electoral district, is set to become Nepal's new prime minister after his RSP party's victory in the general election.
For over two decades, Nepal's politics have been dominated by rotating coalition governments mainly controlled by three major parties, two of which are communist.
This election was a crucial test to see if Gen Z voters could persuade the nation that it's time for new leaders without prior political tests to shape the future, or if long-standing senior politicians would retain their power.
In February, Shah's RSP party unveiled policy plans pledging to create 1.2 million jobs and reduce forced migration, addressing public frustration over unemployment and low wages that have driven millions of Nepalis to seek work abroad.
RSP also promised that within five years, Nepal's per capita income would rise from $1,447 to $3,000, the economy would more than double to $100 billion, and universal basic welfare such as health insurance would be provided to all citizens.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:bbc