Nepal politics

While the recent rallies have drawn international attention, support for a return to the monarchy is neither new nor a majority position. 

Nepal’s post-insurgency constitution was a document of compromise among various political forces. Changing it will bring new risks.

New Delhi is proceeding with caution after an unexpected alliance between the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress.

The current coalition, while fragile, has enough seats to undertake constitutional amendment, and potentially do away with Nepal’s mixed electoral system.

The political promiscuity of its parties, not the electoral system, is responsible for the country’s prolonged instability.

It’s no coincidence that the move came just as Nepal’s left-alliance government faces a crucial floor test.

With the pro-India Nepali Congress out of the ruling coalition, and the China-friendly CPN-UML back in, Nepal's diplomacy looks set to change.

The violent clashes that followed drew attention to long-standing discontent with Nepal's current governance system.

Religious tensions, as opposed to ethnic or caste-based schisms, are relatively new in Nepal. What’s behind the recent upsurge? 

The president is largely a figurehead with little political power, but there has been considerable political turmoil around the selection.

The recent political shake-up in the government has cost Beijing the upper hand in the contest for geopolitical influence.

With the CPN-UML pulling out support for the 2-month-old government, Dahal has joined forces with his old ally, the Nepali Congress.