Hung parliament

The Himalayan Times

21 December 2022

Hung parliament

The President on Sunday has called on the country’s political parties to try to form the new government within a week following the submission of the election by the Election Commission. If no party has a clear majority to represent in the House of Representatives (HoR), the President shall appoint a new prime minister, a member of the HoR, who is able to command a majority with the support of two or more parties represented in the HoR. After this official call from the President, the current ruling coalition led by the NC and the main opposition, UML, have started negotiations, discussions and even on bargaining over the formation of the next government. The current ruling coalition of five parties is in need of two seats to claim a majority of 138 seats in the 275 member HoR.

Looking at this situation, in most likelihood, the five-party alliance, which has 136 seats and is short of just two seats to prove its majority, will be able to form the next government if it succeeds to convince the CK Raut-led Janamat Party and a few independent MPs. Honestly speaking, in any democracy, the major parties are expected to name the leader of their election campaign and the future prime minister of their party well before the elections.

Going by this logic, it is a bit unusual and unexpected to talk about the next PM after the election. However, the bitter reality is no one knows for sure - even almost a week after the final election results became apparent – as to who will be the next PM. There are many candidates, though – over half a dozen of them. Some will hold the position for the first time. Others for yet another time!! Believe it or not, five-time Prime Minister Deuba wants to become the country’s executive head for a sixth time with the support from the ruling coalition.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj