Nepal swears in ex-rapper as prime minister

Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper and ex-mayor of Kathmandu, has been sworn in as Nepal's prime minister after a landslide election win; his rise followed large youth-led protests and a strong showing by the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Balendra Shah has been sworn in as Nepal's prime minister after a landslide victory in the country's first election since last year's youth-led protests. He is 35 years old, is widely known by his stage name Balen, and previously served three years as mayor of Kathmandu. Shah rose to public attention as an underground rapper who criticised corruption and social inequality, and he ran for national office with the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Key facts: - Balendra Shah was sworn in after his party's strong performance in the 5 March general election, which followed widespread youth-led protests last year. - Shah is 35, known as Balen, and released a campaign-related song before taking office that reportedly attracted more than two million views. - He served three years as Kathmandu's mayor, where initiatives to clear roads and remove illegal buildings won support from some residents and criticism from street vendors and others. - The Rastriya Swatantra Party nominated Shah as its prime-ministerial candidate; the party swept the election and Shah unseated former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa 5 constituency. - Last September's protests, which helped shape the election context, were reported to have left 77 people dead, and a commission later recommended prosecuting the former prime minister. - Human Rights Watch voiced concerns about heavy-handed policing under Shah's mayoralty, and leaders of the new government face challenges including migrant-worker issues tied to the Middle East war, chronic unemployment, and an unsettled economy. Summary: Shah's inauguration marks a notable shift in Nepal's political landscape and reflects public appetite for change after large protests. The new government will need to address high public expectations and decide how to respond to the commission's recommendations about the 2025 unrest, among other domestic and international challenges.