Members of parliament in the Himalayan country of Nepal have elected former political prisoner Ram Chandra Paudel as the new president.
According to the state newspaper “Gorkhapatra online”, the 78-year-old won a clear majority in the national parliament and in the regional parliaments of the South Asian country on Thursday. The Nepalese head of state usually performs representative duties. Power rests with the prime minister. Paudel once fought against the monarchy and was therefore temporarily imprisoned. He later became Minister of the Interior.
As of next week, Paudel will be the country’s third president since the country, with a population of nearly 30 million, officially transitioned from a monarchy to a republic in 2008. The representative of the Nepalese Congress Party received support from several parties, including the Maoist Party of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.
Paudel’s competitor Subash Chandra Nembang of the Marxist-Leninist party received less than half of Paudel’s vote. A power struggle has been raging in the country’s government, especially since last year’s elections and the ensuing parliament without an absolute party majority.
(yam/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
