CNN
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A former Maoist guerrilla who led a decade-long uprising against Nepal’s Hindu monarchy was named prime minister for the third time on Sunday.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who still uses the name “Prachanda” meaning “terrifying” or “fierce”, has been elected to serve a five-year term with the support of the opposition Communist Party United Marxist-Leninists. will lead the new government for the first half of UML) party and several other smaller groups, party officials said.
“He was appointed and has the support of a majority of parliament,” Tika Dhakal, an aide to President Vidya Devi Bhandari, told Reuters.
Prachanda, the successor to Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepalese Parliamentary Party, will step down in 2025, making way for the UML to take over the office, local media reported.
“This is the understanding.
Hours after 68-year-old Prachanda surprisingly withdrew from the ruling coalition led by Deuba of the Nepalese Parliamentary Party, a new coalition government was formed. Deuba refused to endorse Prachanda for the job of prime minister.
Deuba and Prachanda both campaigned in the November elections, promising to keep the old alliance intact for years.
The Maoist Center Party, led by Prachanda, won 32 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives. The UML has 78 seats for him, and the remaining seats required for 138 seats are managed by smaller groups.
The Nepalese Parliamentary Party will be the main opposition party with 89 seats.
Analysts said Prachanda was unlikely to bring stability to the country because of its many coalition partners. He also faces serious economic challenges.
Inflation is over 8%, the highest in six years. Sandwiched between China and India, Nepal is also facing declining foreign exchange reserves and increasing reliance on imports for basic commodities.
Former central bank governor Deefendra Bahadur Kshetri told Reuters that the economy is unlikely to grow as political unrest destabilizes investments and businesses.
Nepal has had 10 changes of government since 2008, when the 239-year monarchy was abolished.
