<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/08/ex-rapper-balendra-shah-nepal-pm-landslide-election-win>
"Balendra Shah, the rapper turned politician and popular figurehead of a gen Z
revolution, looks set to become Nepal’s next prime minister after his party won
by an unprecedented margin.
Shah, known widely as Balen, and his Rastriya Swatantra party (RSP) secured a
rare landslide victory in the first election since youth-led protests during
which dozens were killed and the former government was toppled.
“It is the victory of hope and change,” said Ramesh Paudyal, a senior RSP
leader. “It is the most beautiful endorsement of the gen Z movement. The true
tribute to the gen Z martyrs will be expressed through the work carried out
every day by the government led by Balendra Shah.”
The public upset and anger at the political old guard was evident in the
results, with veteran parties and their leaders losing vast numbers of seats.
Balen’s RSP, which was formed only three years ago by a former TV executive,
was handed a rare outright majority.
Nepal’s electoral system – which combines a first past the post system with
proportional representation – has tended to result in weak coalition
governments. But as counting reached its final stages, RSP had won at least 122
out of 165 direct seats and was leading in three more, putting the party on
course for the biggest electoral majority since Nepal became a democracy.
The final election results, which will include additional seats appointed
through proportional representation, are expected in the coming days."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
