US EditionEx-rapper Balendra Shah sworn in as Nepal prime minister after sweeping election win
Balendra Shah leads with a two-thirds majority after Gen Z protests fueled demands for anti-corruption and job creation, marking a historic shift in Nepalese politics.
- On Friday, March 27, 2026, President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office to Balendra Shah, 35, making him Nepal's youngest prime minister in decades during a ceremony in Kathmandu.
- Shah's appointment followed the March 5 parliamentary elections, where his Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a landslide victory, winning 182 of 275 seats on a youth-driven reform platform.
- The election was the first since a September 2025 Gen Z-led uprising against corruption toppled former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's government, with at least 76 people killed during the unrest.
- Shah promptly appointed a 14-member cabinet including Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, pledging to restore political stability and create jobs for the nation's 30 million people.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shah on social media, signaling early regional engagement as the new government prepares to pursue 'development diplomacy' between India and China.
115 Articles
115 Articles
Nepal's new PM Balen Shah thanks PM Modi for warm wishes: 'Looking forward to working with India'
Nepal's Prime Minister's Office on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his greetings to Balen Shah on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal. Responding to PM Modi's post, the Nepal PM's office said the PM was eager to work closely with PM Modi to advance the multifaceted relations between both countries. In a post on X, the office said, "Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your kind words and warm wishes. I am eager…
The 35-year-old rapper Balen Shah protested as prime minister in Nepal. With his appointment, Balen Shah became one of the youngest politicians in his country. Balen Shah takes protest as prime minister of Nepal Rapper Balen Shah took protest as prime minister of Nepal after triumphing in the elections last March 5. Balen Shah led the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), an independent political organization that won 182 seats. With this, the RSP ach…
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Balendra Shah made a name for himself in Nepal's hip-hop scene in the 2010s. The 35-year-old is the youngest head of government in the Himalayas state to date.
After a clear election victory, Balendra Shah has been sworn in as head of government of Nepal. Many associate the 35-year-old with the hope of reform - but the challenges are great. By Franziska Amler.
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