Nepal's Gen-Z Election: Can Rapper-Turned-Politician Balen Topple Veteran?
Nepal's upcoming election will test whether the nation's large youth population's hopes and frustrations are being heard, as a former rapper challenges a political heavyweight.
As Nepal prepares for a pivotal election, the nation's burgeoning youth population is poised to play a decisive role. With 46% of the population under the age of 24, the upcoming vote will serve as a litmus test for whether the aspirations and grievances of this demographic are being taken seriously by the political establishment.
At the forefront of this generational clash stands Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper known simply as Balen. Once a vocal critic of the ruling elite through his music, Balen has now transitioned into the political arena, scoring a resounding victory to become the mayor of Kathmandu in May 2022.
This unfolding battle in the unassuming, dusty lanes of the Nepali city of Damak pits Balen against a political heavyweight, setting the stage for a showdown that could dramatically reshape the country's political landscape.
Source: The Guardian
