Nepals RSP Wins Historic Election Landslide

Nepal's Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a historic landslide victory in the general elections held on March 5, 2026, reshaping the nation's political landscape and ushering in a new generation of leaders amid widespread calls for change following youth-led protests against corruption.

The RSP captured 182 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives, including 125 directly elected constituencies and 57 through proportional representation, falling just short of a two-thirds majority. This outcome marked the first time a single party achieved such dominance in modern Nepali politics, reflecting voter frustration with established parties and a push for reform. The elections followed a massive uprising in September 2025, known as the GenZ Revolt, which forced the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and dismantled traditional power structures.

At the forefront of this shift are prominent new figures. Rabi Lamichhane, the RSP chairman and former television host, emerged as a key architect of the party's success, symbolizing a break from entrenched elites. Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen and the former mayor of Kathmandu with a background in hip-hop music,...