Former rapper is set to become Nepal's Prime Minister. He won the elections after Generation Z protests

Photo: Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Former rapper Balendra Shah is set to become the Prime Minister of Nepal after his party's convincing victory in the elections, writes the BBC.

The National Independent Party (also known as "Rastriya Swatantra", RSP) won the first elections following protests by Generation Z representatives, which led to dozens of casualties and the overthrow of the government.

For the first time in several decades, one party has gained a majority in Nepal, where the electoral system usually results in coalition governments.

35-year-old Shah defeated 74-year-old Sharma Oli, who had served as prime minister four times, in the Jhapa-5 constituency — traditionally a stronghold for the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).

"This is a victory of hope and change," declared Ramesh Paudyal, one of the RSP leaders. "This is the clearest confirmation of the Generation Z movement. A true tribute to the martyrs of Generation Z will be expressed in the daily work of the government led by Balendra Shah."

The election results showed strong public dissatisfaction with the political establishment: traditional parties and their leaders lost a significant number of seats in parliament.

These elections were considered some of the most significant and intense in recent years: they pitted political heavyweights who had dominated Nepalese politics for decades against a younger generation promising to end corruption and open a new chapter in the country's life.

Who is Balendra Shah?

Balendra Shah is a rapper who became a politician and a symbol of the "Generation Z revolution".

Despite relatively little political experience, the 35-year-old Shah was considered the favorite in the race. He ran a dynamic campaign, managing to capitalize on the desire for change — especially among young Nepalis.

Shah is an engineer by education, but he gained popularity as a rapper who criticizes poverty, unemployment, and corruption in his songs. In 2022, he decided to enter politics and ran as an independent candidate for the mayor of Kathmandu.

After winning a confident majority of votes, he embarked on the massive task of bringing order to the city, including demolishing illegal structures and solving the garbage problem.

However, it was the youth protests last September that brought Shah to the national level.

After demonstrations suddenly erupted — initially provoked by a social media ban, but fueled by broader dissatisfaction with corruption and the economic situation — authorities responded with force, killing 21 protesters.

The uprising escalated into broader riots and arsons, which killed 70 people. Ultimately, this led to the resignation of the government led by K.P. Sharma Oli, who had served as prime minister four times, and his veteran Communist Party.

Nepalese politics has accumulated fatigue due to the constant political maneuvering of the three largest parties and the party system itself, where there were almost no incentives for reform and virtually no alternative, says Kathmandu-based analyst Amish Raj Mulmi.

"The results of these elections can be seen as a vote against the old parties. Low turnout and a high RSP result indicate that supporters of traditional parties simply did not go to the polls," he adds.

"Many Nepalis, including myself, are very happy about this," 40-year-old Raghunath Neupane told the BBC. "I feel very optimistic."

According to Raghunath, the possibility that Balen Shah and his party could gain a two-thirds majority gives him hope that Nepal will be governed by a more stable government than the fragile coalitions of the past.

"I think Balen is capable of eradicating corruption and moving the economy forward," he said.

However, Raghunath also has some concerns.

As mayor, Balen was criticized by human rights organizations for his harsh use of police against street vendors as he tried to clear the capital's roads and shut down unlicensed stalls. Shah's campaign headquarters did not respond to a request for comment.

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