Nepal Peace Deal Leads to Interim Constitution, Elections in 2007
Interim Constitution Approved in Nepal, Bijaya Acharya
Washington Post, December 18, 2006

Last month’s peace agreement in Nepal (please see: “Opposition Puts Guns Aside, Joins New Democratic Process in Nepal”), a result of mass protests leading to King Gyanemdra’s restoration of democracy, was followed up this weekend as the ruling alliance and opposition Maoist rebels agreed to a draft of an interim constitution.  The constitution will implement the Prime Minister as head of state and “the king will have no right in state affairs.”

Prime Minister Giria Prasad Koirala and Maoist leader Prachanda signed the draft, which will integrate the Maoists into the provisional parliament.  The draft constitution will need to be officially passed by the parliament to go into effect.  Elections will follow in June 2007, monitored by the United Nations, which will elect an assembly to design a permanent constitution.