Gen Z Protests in Nepal: Obsoleting Traditional Political Parties or Forcing Recalibration?

Abstract

The Gen Z-led protests in Nepal in September 2025 represented a pivotal moment in the nation's political development, contesting established party dominance and underscoring generational dissatisfaction with governmental ineptitude and corruption. This article examines the institutional ramifications for Nepal's party system. This paper examines, via the lens of party system theory, contentious politics, and political generation theory, whether the mobilisation of Gen Z indicates the obsolescence of conventional political parties or a recalibration of party politics in Nepal. The study contends that, through the examination of protest-party dynamics, party reactions, media narratives, and ensuing political events—such as changes in executive leadership and interim governance negotiations—Gen Z protests significantly disrupted political norms and undermined party legitimacy yet did not render traditional parties obsolete. The protests prompted political realignment and forced parties to address youth demands. The paper asserts that the sustainability of Nepal's democratic transition, peace, and inclusive development hinges on the reciprocal flexibility of youth activism and political institutions.