The Nepalese Parliament has voted to abolish the country’s monarchy and replace it with a constitutional republic. Out of the 371 members of parliament, 270 voted for the measure and only three voted against.
King Gyanendra alienated the supporters he still had by sacking the government in 2005 and taking up absolute power. A people’s uprising forced Gyanendra to restore the Parliament in April 2006.
The Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, a key force in the struggle against the country’s 240-year-old monarchy, has rejoined the government after quitting it in September 2007. They had vowed not to return until the monarchy had been abolished.
The decision will become effective in mid-April, when a national election for a constitutional assembly is to take place.
