Opinion | Temptation of a directly-elected ‘hero’
Summary
Nepal faces renewed debate over adopting a directly elected executive to achieve political stability amid coalition frustrations, but experts warn that constitutional change alone may not resolve deeper political culture issues.
Key Points
- Nepal's recurring debate focuses on whether to retain a parliamentary system or adopt direct election of the executive to promote political stability.
- Directly elected executives may offer a mandate independent of fragile parliamentary coalitions but do not eliminate political conflict.
- Nepal's politics increasingly personalizes leadership, potentially risking democratic backsliding and hero worship.
- Constitutional reform cannot substitute for responsible political leadership or change fundamental political behavior, and Nepal must consider broader institutional and cultural factors.
