Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 — Republic Transition, Post-Maoist Peace

What happened

After the king was forced to give up power in 2006, Nepal needed temporary rules while it figured out what kind of government to have. This temporary constitution said Nepal would become a republic — but the final decision would be made by a special assembly elected by the people. This temporary constitution lasted 8 years.

Full Verified Record

The Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 (promulgated 15 January 2007) replaced the 1990 constitution as Nepal transitioned from monarchy to republic. It incorporated the Maoist CPN into the political framework following the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Accord. The document declared Nepal a 'federal democratic republic' in principle (while the formal decision awaited the Constituent Assembly), suspended the monarchy's constitutional role, created a 330-member interim legislature including unelected Maoist representatives, and established the Constituent Assembly election process. The Interim Constitution was an explicitly temporary document designed to manage the transition — it was in force for 8 years until the 2015 constitution was promulgated.

१५ जनवरी २००७ मा जारी गरिएको अन्तरिम संविधानले नेपाललाई राजतन्त्रबाट गणतन्त्रतर्फको संक्रमणका लागि ढाँचा प्रदान गर्यो। माओवादीलाई राजनीतिमा समावेश गरियो।

Why it mattered

The interim constitution successfully managed the most dangerous moment in Nepal's modern political history — the transition from a conflict-ridden monarchy to a peace. Its inclusion of Maoist representatives (without election) was controversial but pragmatic. Its 8-year duration reflected how difficult it was to get Nepal's parties to agree on a final constitution.