Nepali youth propelled a rapper to the prime ministership — Balen Shah, former mayor of Kathmandu, assumed the role of prime minister half a year after nationwide mass protests.
At just 35 years old, he became Nepal's youngest prime minister in history.
In September 2025, protests erupted across Nepal following the government's ban on social media platforms, quickly escalating into widespread riots. The majority of participants were members of Generation Z. The demonstrations ultimately forced the resignation of both the sitting prime minister and president.
Even then, protesters had already called for Balen Shah to serve as interim prime minister. He was elected mayor of Kathmandu in 2022 as an independent candidate and, upon taking office, focused on improving urban infrastructure and tackling waste management issues.
Shah emerged as an informal leader among the protesting youth. In January 2026, he resigned from his mayoral position to run in the national election. His campaign platform centered on economic reforms, addressing youth unemployment, and increasing investment in education and healthcare.
The new prime minister commands millions of followers on social networks. As a rapper, his music frequently addresses social issues, criticizing governmental inefficiency and corruption.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860812501934208/
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