KATHMANDU, NEPAL, May 29, 2008: With the ending of the monarchy in Nepal, what is ex-king Gyanendra planning to do now – and what will take the place of the crown? There are reports that Gyanendra and his ex-queen, Komal, are already packing to leave the royal palace, Narayanhiti.
Although they have had months to think about it, Nepal’s leaders are still arguing about the new, temporary constitutional arrangements. Clearly the republic will need a president during these two years while a completely new constitution is being written. It is now agreed that he or she will have a largely ceremonial post but will be the supreme commander of the army, with emergency powers exercised on cabinet advice. Whoever it is will have to be elected by the 601 assembly members, by a simple majority. Until that happens, Nepal will technically have no head of state at all.
The same questions apply to the Maoists’ army. While the Maoists want them merged with the national Nepal Army, the latter’s chief is vocally unwilling to accept them. With the Maoists now in the government, yet still encumbered with the baggage of a guerrilla group, many questions remain about the structures of the new Nepalese republic.