On Wednesday, the 28th of May, the newly elected Constituent Assembly, meeting for the first time, officially declared Nepal a republic and abolished the long standing monarchy.
This was the official ratification of an agreement already in place, which was one of the prerequisites for the Maoists agreeing to participate in the recent elections. It is a hugely significant milestone in the history of Nepal, and one on which much hope, anticipation and speculation rests. Will it finally make a difference in the lives of the majority of Nepalis for whom everyday life is a struggle?
Though there were some recent bomb blasts in Kathmandu, allegedly instigated by pro-monarchists, the transition occurred relatively peacefully and the now ex-King Gyanendra has vacated the Narayahiti palace which will become a national museum. He has been granted temporary use of the Nagarjuna palace, a traditional summer residence on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
More attention is currently directed on the tensions among the three leading parties, the Maoists, the NC and the UML, as to who becomes president, and over other positions that must be filled and important changes in the constitution. Since the recent elections were for the Constitutional Assembly, and not for a new government, these details are still to be thrashed out among the parties.
Earlier, the Maoists had threatened protests and even to leave the government if a new government under their leadership was not formed this week. A meeting held on Wednesday was inconclusive except for the agreement to allow for a few more days.
Please read Nepal Elections, Now What? for more background information.
Tourists in Nepal are reportedly not feeling under any threat currently. Indeed there have been far more turbulent times in Nepal. In any case, out in the mountains, in the trekking areas, life is more unaffected by politics than in the towns and cities. Apart from the electricity load shedding and occasional protests, tourist should not encounter major hindrances to their travel plans.
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