Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a decisive two-thirds majority in the 2026 parliamentary elections, setting its leader Balen Shah on a clear path to becoming the nation’s next prime minister. The victory, which came after a voter turnout of nearly 60 percent, has sparked nationwide celebrations as supporters took to the streets to mark what many see as a historic shift in the Himalayan nation’s political landscape.

Impact on Political Landscape

The RSP’s sweeping win comes in the wake of last year’s widespread protests by Nepal’s Gen-Z population, which led to the collapse of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ Oli’s government. The unrest, driven by demands for economic reform and an end to political instability, created a political vacuum that the RSP has now filled with what analysts describe as a ‘landslide’ victory.

According to the official election results released on Saturday, the RSP has secured 114 of the 165 seats contested under the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system. This gives the party a commanding majority, allowing it to unilaterally pass legislation without needing to form a coalition government. Balen Shah, a former rapper and former mayor of Kathmandu, is expected to be sworn in as prime minister in the coming weeks.

‘Maybe I think every foreign country is talking about Nepal’s corruption,’ said RSP Vice President Dol Prasad Aryal during a press conference. ‘They’re discussing; they’re talking about Nepal’s corruption, corruption, corruption. When we started our party, the RSP felt that we needed to work to reduce corruption almost to zero—that’s our main agenda.’

Challenges and Reforms Ahead

Balen Shah’s rise to power marks a significant departure from Nepal’s traditional political parties, which have long been plagued by allegations of corruption and inefficiency. The RSP has positioned itself as a clean, reform-driven party focused on delivering tangible development to Nepal’s citizens.

‘Everyone needs to feel that we have a government for them, and they need to feel it from the heart,’ Aryal said. ‘As we plan to provide development, delivery is the major agenda for now in this country, and we hope we will succeed.’

The RSP’s victory has been met with both optimism and skepticism. While many citizens welcome the change, others are wary of whether the party can follow through on its promises. The party’s previous experience in governance is limited, and questions remain about its ability to implement sweeping reforms in a country with a history of political instability.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has won two seats and is leading in 12 others, while the CPN-UML is leading in 10 constituencies. The Nepali Communist Party has won one seat and is leading in six other constituencies. These results indicate that while the RSP has dominated the political scene, smaller parties still hold some influence in certain regions.

What’s Next for Nepal

The RSP now faces the monumental task of forming a government and implementing its agenda. With a two-thirds majority, the party will have the power to pass legislation without opposition, but it will need to address pressing issues such as economic stagnation, youth unemployment, and infrastructure development.

Analysts suggest that the RSP’s success could have long-term implications for Nepal’s political system. ‘This is a turning point for Nepal,’ said one political analyst based in Kathmandu. ‘If the RSP can deliver on its promises, it could set a new precedent for governance in the region.’

However, the road ahead is not without challenges. The party must handle a complex political environment, manage expectations, and ensure that its reforms are implemented effectively. With the country’s youth population demanding tangible change, the RSP’s ability to deliver on its promises will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.

As Nepal moves forward, the 2026 election results have set the stage for a new era in the nation’s political history. The coming months will determine whether Balen Shah and the RSP can live up to the expectations of a population eager for transformation.