Cover image via NUS
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Nepal has just sworn in its new Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper
More popularly known as Balen, the young musician-turned-politician now faces the daunting responsibility of steering the country towards stability after deadly protests in September last year resulted in 77 deaths and mass arson that damaged at least 2,500 structures, reported France 24.
The protests, largely led by Gen Zs, erupted after a brief government ban on social media, but were also fuelled by deeper frustration over economic hardship and corruption.
The mountainous nation bordering both China and India has a population of 30 million, with around 20% reportedly living in poverty.
Reuters reported that the nation also witnesses a large outflow of workers, with about 1,500 Nepalis leaving daily to seek employment abroad.
In the aftermath of the protests, Shah ran in the 5 March election, where his party secured a landslide victory, winning 182 out of 275 seats in parliament.
Balendra Shah (left) during a swearing-in ceremony.
Image via Prakash Mathema/AFPHe was sworn as last Friday, 27 March.
To give a quick overview of his journey, here are seven facts about him:
1. He is the youngest prime minister in Nepal's recent history
At just 35 years old, Shah took the oath of office in his signature black suit, Nepali cloth cap, and dark sunglasses.
His appointment marks a stark departure from the country's gerontocratic political landscape, which has historically been dominated by a rotating cast of much older veteran politicians, a key grievance for many Gen Z protesters during last year's demonstrations.
2. He led a three-year-old party to a landslide victory
Shah contested under the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a party formed in June 2022 and founded by Rabi Lamichhane, the former deputy prime minister and home minister in the 2022 administration.
While the recent election landslide victory was impressive, it did not come without controversy.
His decision to join RSP earlier this year was criticised, as the party was touted as being no different from older political parties run by veteran politicians.
However, the affiliation did not dull his popularity, noted the New York Times. He went on to contest and won the seat against former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, who was forced to resign following the protests.
3. He rode the wave of Gen Z protests to power
Shah's rise to the premiership was catalysed by massive, Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests in September, which ultimately toppled Oli's administration.
While Shah did not organise the initial demonstrations, he openly supported the movement, positioning himself as a leading voice for the youth's demands for transparency and good governance.
However, that same movement has since become a source of political risk. A long-delayed investigative report into the deadly violence and mass arson during the unrest has raised questions over accountability, with some of Shah's party members potentially implicated, reported the New York Times.
The findings now place early pressure on Shah, forcing him to confront whether he will hold those involved accountable, even if they are within his own ranks.
4. He celebrated his historic win with a new rap song
Staying true to his roots, Shah released his first public statement following the historic vote in the form of a rap track.
Dropped just a day before his swearing-in, the song titled Jay Mahakaali (Victory to Goddess Mahakali) features lyrics like, "Nepal is not scared this time, the heart is full of red blood… Laughter and happiness will reach every household this time.
"The strength of unity is my national power."
At the time of writing, the music video has garnered over 5.1 million views on YouTube.
5. He has a dual career: trained structural engineer and rapper
Before he was prime minister, he was a civil engineer and an underground hip-hop artiste.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Kathmandu and a Master's degree in structural engineering from Bengaluru, India, according to his biography on Britannica.
In the early 2010s, he gained fame in the Nephop (Nepali hip-hop) scene, releasing tracks that heavily criticised corruption, inequality, and government dysfunction.
6. He shocked the establishment by becoming Kathmandu's mayor in 2022
Shah didn't come out of absolutely nowhere.
In a massive political upset in 2022, he became the first independent candidate to be elected as the mayor of Kathmandu, the capital and largest city of Nepal.
During his tenure, he built a combative, reform-minded reputation, frequently clashing with the federal establishment and challenging the traditional political elites right in the capital, reported Times of India.
7. He is Nepal's first Madhesi prime minister
Beyond his age and background, Shah's election broke significant cultural and geographical barriers.
He is the first prime minister hailing from the Madhes region, the southern plains of Nepal bordering India.
In a country where regional representation has historically been a highly sensitive issue, his elevation carries massive symbolic weight, reported The Deltagram.
