It was already becoming apparent – now all the votes have been counted in Nepal: the party of former rapper Balendra Shah has won the parliamentary election by a clear margin. It wins 125 of the 165 directly elected seats and achieves a two-thirds majority. This means that Shah is expected to become the new prime minister of the Himalayan state. The musician known as “Balen” made abuse of power and corruption a central theme of his election campaign – as he had previously done in his songs. The election comes after major protests last year. Mostly young people demonstrated against nepotism and the blocking of social media platforms. More than 70 people were killed in the riots. Until recently, 35-year-old Shah was mayor of the capital city Kathmandu. He joined the fledgling RSP party shortly before the election.

The expectations, especially of the younger generation, of Shah and the RSP party are enormous. IIn particular, the fight against corruption and excessive bureaucracy should give the younger generation hope for a better future, so that they do not feel compelled to emigrate from the country. Currently, thousands leave Nepal every year to seek their fortune and find work in the rest of the world.