A new government in Nepal was sworn in on Friday, with 35-year-old Balendra (Balin) Shah taking office as the country’s new prime minister.
Balan Shah, a former singer and former mayor of Kathmandu, won a landslide victory in last month’s general elections, after which his Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSP) party formed the government.
Balan Shah’s rapid rise in politics is being seen as a sign of Nepal’s public disillusionment with traditional politics and a desire for change. Youth-led protests and growing anger against corruption have played a major role in his popularity.
Before taking the oath, the new prime minister also released a new song about Nepal’s future, which received millions of views in a matter of hours. Balan Shah has been known in the past as a rapper, songwriter and artist who speaks out on social issues.
His tenure as mayor of Kathmandu was marked by a clean-up campaign, crackdown on corruption and crackdowns on illegal construction, although he also faced criticism from human rights groups.
The new government now faces major challenges such as unemployment, a sluggish economy, the plight of millions of Nepalese workers in the Middle East and the investigation into the 2025 coup. Public expectations are high and it remains to be seen to what extent Balan Shah and his cabinet deliver on their promises.
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