Nepal has entered “the beginning of a new phase” after parliamentary elections that reflected public demand for political change and new leadership, a Catholic Church leader said.
“The situation in Nepal after the elections is calm. The people have cast their votes and overwhelmingly expressed their confidence in Balendra Shah and his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP),” said Father Silas Bogati, Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate of Nepal, in remarks reported by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency.
“We are experiencing an atmosphere of hope and change. People think: We are at the beginning of a new phase,” he added.
Partial results from the March 5 parliamentary elections show a strong performance by the Rastriya Swatantra Party led by Shah. The party won in 52 of the country’s 75 constituencies.
The parliament has 275 seats. Of these, 165 are filled through majority vote in constituencies, while another 110 are allocated through proportional representation. Final results have yet to be officially announced.
Shah, 35, first gained national recognition as a rapper whose lyrics addressed issues such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption.
In 2022, he entered politics and was elected mayor of Kathmandu. Following the Generation Z protests in September 2025, he ran against incumbent Prime Minister Sharma Oli in his constituency and won decisively.
“The election has shown that the established parties have lost support, while new parties like the RSP, especially under its leader Balendra, have gained ground,” Bogati noted.
“Citizens have great hopes in him and believe that Balendra will bring better times, characterized by development and prosperity,” he added.
Once final results are confirmed, the new parliament and government are expected to be formed by the end of March.
“The mood among the people is very optimistic, and expectations are high. On the other hand, this also means a great responsibility for the new leaders. We pray that the Lord will enlighten them and that they will work for the good of all in the country,” he said.
