Is Nepal's Democracy Moving Away from the Abyss?

A comprehensive overview of Nepal's political development from 1990 to the present day. Knud Olander and Jørgen Rendsvig examine the key events in the country's democratic history, including the Gen Z demonstrations in September 2025 and their subsequent consequences, which led to the government's collapse.

The lecture focuses on the parliamentary election held on March 5, 2026, where traditional power parties lost influence to the relatively new Rastriya Swatantra Party, which secured nearly two-thirds of the seats. The central questions are whether this government can meet the population's demands for combating corruption and creating jobs for young people, and whether Nepal's democracy is now stabilizing after the crisis.

Both speakers have extensive experience with Nepalese politics. Knud Olander lived in Nepal and worked for Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke and Danida since 1990. Jørgen Rendsvig has traveled in the country since 2003 and writes about Nepalese politics.