Nepal’s political instability has eroded public faith in political parties, political leaders, and, consequently, the entire political system. As governments frequently change at both the federal and provincial levels without substantial justification, negative public perception continues to rise. Top leaders of nearly all political parties are viewed as power-hungry and corrupt individuals with little or no regard for the welfare of the people or the future of the nation, a perception amplified by poor service delivery, stagnant employment growth, and rampant corruption with glaring impunity.
While some aspects of government instability in Nepal can be traced to loopholes in the Constitution, electoral laws, political party statutes, and legislative and executive structures, the core issue lies in the absence of a robust political culture and the relentless pursuit of power by top leaders. The fundamental problem is the ambition of leaders who seek to remain in power indefinitely.
Nepal has become a unique case in South Asia due to its frequent government changes. To avoid becoming a global symbol of political instability, or ‘the world champion of political instability,’ it is crucial to engage in a serious discourse on how to achieve government stability, including considering constitutional amendments if necessary.
Reforming legal and constitutional frameworks could be effective, as evidenced by the impact of limits on the size of the federal cabinet and the requirement for votes of confidence. As discussions on political instability in Nepal continue, it is essential systematically review the proposed solutions to mitigate instability and improve the functionality of the political system.
While constitutional and legal reforms can address structural issues—though not without significant difficulty—tackling the issue of power grabs and the misuse of power for personal gain is more challenging. Legal and constitutional measures alone may not be sufficient to resolve these underlying problems.
