Political turbulence is sweeping across continents, as two governments—one in Nepal and another in Bulgaria—have been brought to their knees by waves of Gen-Z-led protests demanding accountability, transparency, and a return to democratic norms. In both cases, the aftermath has left countries grappling with uncertainty, power vacuums, and questions about the future of governance. The echoes of discontent, though separated by geography, share strikingly similar themes: a rejection of entrenched elites, accusations of corruption, and a youth-led demand for genuine representation.
In Nepal, the political drama reached a fever pitch on December 13, 2025, during the opening session of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), or CPN-UML’s, 11th General Convention. Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, ousted after the Gen-Z uprising of September 8 and 9, stood before 2,262 party representatives in Kathmandu and called for the immediate restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives. According to ANI, Oli’s impassioned address was laced with criticism of the interim government—formed under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki—which he labeled “unconstitutional” and accused of staging a “high-voltage drama” with recent agreements struck between Gen-Z protest leaders and government officials.
“For now, the immediate need is to restore the House of Representatives dissolved by unauthorized and unconstitutional recommendation; form a constitutional government and then move ahead on the path of forming a new House of Representatives after getting a fresh mandate,” Oli declared, according to ANI. He went on to lambast the interim administration for what he saw as a lack of transparency and for failing to create conditions conducive to the elections scheduled for Falgun 21 (March 5, 2026). “Are the preparations there? No, it doesn’t seem so! What would a government that wanted elections do? It would win the trust of all parties. It would show transparency in decisions. It would create a space for meetings and rallies. It would encourage party activities to create an environment conducive to conducting the election. It would create an environment of fearlessness, which is an essential condition for elections,” Oli said.
His criticism did not stop there. Oli accused the government of fostering an atmosphere of fear and suppression rather than dialogue and competition. “Prohibition instead of dialogue; hate; media trial; rumours; conspiracies against political parties; threats instead of competition; cases instead of debates; cancellation of the leader’s passport and place-limit; prohibition! Will this create an environment for elections or one of fear? Will the freedom of voting be protected, or will pressure and terror increase?” he asked, rhetorically.
The events that precipitated this crisis were nothing short of seismic. As reported by Republica, CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali described the period after September 9 as “unprecedented,” likening it to “an attack on the country by a powerful foreign force.” The Gen-Z protests, which erupted on September 8 and 9, toppled the democratically elected government, dissolved the House of Representatives, and, in Gyawali’s words, replaced the rule of law with chaos. “The elected government fell. The House of Representatives, the seat of the people’s representatives, was dissolved. Rule of law was replaced by chaos,” Gyawali stated, warning that the current administration governed in disorder and threatened anyone who dared to speak out against it.
The Gen-Z uprising, which left at least 76 people dead—many from bullet wounds to the head and chest after police fired lethal weapons on protesters in Kathmandu Valley—has cast a long shadow over Nepal’s political landscape. The postmortem reports, cited by ANI, confirmed the use of deadly force, a move that led to the resignation of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak but not of Oli, who remained defiant under mounting pressure. The protests, fueled by grievances over corruption and a lack of accountability, have forced a reckoning among Nepal’s political elite.
Oli, who has often been characterized as self-centered and resistant to change, hinted at foreign interference in his removal, particularly from neighboring India. He referenced the long-standing border disputes involving Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani, and recalled the 2015 border blockade, when Madhesh-based parties—opposed to Nepal’s newly promulgated constitution—sought refuge in India. “We promulgated the Constitution, and it sparked a strong reaction—our stance wasn’t liked by many,” Oli said, suggesting that his party’s positions on sovereignty and connectivity made them targets for external and internal adversaries alike.
As the CPN-UML’s 11th General Convention continues in Kathmandu, with a closed-door session set to elect new leadership, the party faces a crossroads. The contest for the top post is expected to be fierce, with Oli and Senior Vice-chair Ishwar Pokharel likely to face off. The outcome will determine not just the party’s direction, but potentially the future of Nepal’s governance as the country seeks stability and a path back to democracy.
Meanwhile, across the continent, Bulgaria has witnessed its own Gen-Z-led political earthquake. On December 12, 2025, the Bulgarian government resigned after weeks of mass protests demanding accountability, transparency, and an end to corruption, according to reporting from ANI. The protests, which included significant participation from Gen-Z demonstrators, represented the first such uprising in Europe to force a government to step down. The government, initially defending its economic measures as necessary for fiscal stability, was ultimately overwhelmed by public opposition and withdrew controversial proposals. Yet, as protesters made clear, their anger was rooted not in individual policies but in a deeper rejection of systemic corruption and the political status quo.
Political pressure inside the Bulgarian Parliament mounted, with opposition lawmakers signaling their intent to unseat the government through formal procedures. Anticipating defeat, the Prime Minister announced the cabinet’s resignation, which lawmakers swiftly accepted, ending the coalition’s rule. The president now faces the daunting task of consulting political parties in an effort to form a new administration. With divisions deep and trust in institutions at a low ebb, Bulgaria stands on the brink of further uncertainty and the possibility of early elections.
Political analysts, as quoted by ANI, see these events as part of a broader democratic challenge. Repeated governance failures, they argue, have driven citizens to the streets, with Gen-Z protesters at the forefront demanding dignity, fairness, and a political system that truly serves the people. The protests in both Nepal and Bulgaria underscore a global trend: younger generations are no longer content to wait patiently for change—they are taking to the streets, demanding accountability, and, in some cases, toppling governments that fail to deliver.
As the dust settles in both countries, the message from the streets is unmistakable: the era of unchallenged authority and unchecked corruption is over. Whether Nepal and Bulgaria can translate these turbulent moments into lasting democratic renewal remains to be seen, but the world is watching—and so are their own restless, determined youth.
