Nepal: Nepal's Generation Z group has announced the formation of a new political party, but said participation in next year's general elections depends on certain 'grassroots' conditions.
The Himalayan nation of Nepal is due to hold elections on March 5, 2026. The youth-led group recently staged protests against corruption. Last month, the government also imposed a ban on social media, which led to the ouster of the K P Sharma Oli-led government.
Led by Meeraj Dhungana, one of the leaders of the recent Gen Z movement, the group unveiled its agenda at a press conference in Kathmandu. While Gen Z is considering forming a political party to unite the youth, they have insisted that they will not contest the elections until their grassroots demands are addressed.
The group is primarily advocating two main agendas. Directly elected executive system and voting rights for Nepali citizens living abroad. According to Dhungana, his group has decided that the formation of a political party is essential to unite the youth associated with the Gen-Z movement.
Dhungana stressed that their agenda includes the formation of a citizen-led inquiry committee to control corruption and the adoption of a clear policy on economic transformation.
We will continue to fight for issues such as promoting good governance, transparency and checking corruption. He said that we will not let the sacrifices of the Gen-Z youth go in vain, calling for collective commitment and cooperation from all sides in the task of nation-building.
He said that he was currently collecting suggestions for a ‘suitable’ name for the new party. He said that the economic development of the Himalayan nation has been hampered by the increasing migration of Nepali youth to foreign countries for jobs, and that the responsibility for resolving the problems should be placed on the previous governments.
Speaking about his group's stance on economic issues, he stressed the need to increase domestic production. He said that we are surrounded by highly populated neighbouring countries with a population of three billion, we need to focus on increasing our production by targeting the markets of neighbouring countries.
He urged the interim government to immediately start the process of reopening closed industries and creating new jobs. He stressed the need to develop and promote the tourism sector. Fresh elections to the House of Representatives are scheduled for March 5 next year.
President Ramachandra Poudel had announced the election date while forming the interim government headed by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on September 12.