Politics

Tarique Rahman, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the prime minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. This event signals a major change in the political landscape of the South Asian country following his party's significant victory in the parliamentary elections. At 60 years old, Rahman is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the late President Ziaur Rahman. He takes on his new role with pressing challenges, such as restoring political stability, rebuilding trust with investors, and reviving important industries like the garment sector after the unrest that followed the Gen Z-led protests that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024. During the transition leading up to the election, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus managed the country. In a break from tradition, the swearing-in ceremony took place outdoors at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the national parliament building, rather than at the usual venue, the Bangabhaban, which is the president's official residence. President Mohammed Shahabuddin presided over the ceremony where Rahman and his new cabinet took their oaths, attended by senior political leaders, diplomats, military and civil officials, and representatives from invited countries like China, India, and Pakistan. The BNP achieved a strong two-thirds majority, marking their return to power after nearly 20 years. The Jamaat-e-Islami party, which participated in its first election since a ban was lifted after Hasina's ousting, won a historic 68 seats. The Awami League, Hasina’s party, was barred from competing after the Election Commission revoked its registration. Jamaat and its allies, including the National Citizen Party, which is led by young activists who were key in the movement against Hasina, will make up the opposition. Rahman’s rise to power concludes a long and tumultuous political path, as he returned to Bangladesh last year after 17 years living in exile in London, just before his mother passed away.