Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday, following his party’s decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, marking a major political shift in the South Asian nation.
Rahman, 60, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and late President Ziaur Rahman, assumes office facing pressing challenges, including restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and revitalising key sectors like the garment industry after the turmoil triggered by the Gen Z-led uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.
An interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus managed the country through the transitional period leading up to the election.
Breaking with tradition, Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony took place outdoors at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban rather than the president’s official residence, Bangabhaban. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Rahman and his cabinet in the presence of senior officials, diplomats, and representatives from countries including China, India, and Pakistan.
Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Rahman on his election and BNP’s “decisive victory”, also praising the interim government for conducting a “peaceful and fair election” and expressing hopes for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh ties and regional peace.
BNP secured a commanding two-thirds majority, returning to power after nearly 20 years. The Jamaat-i-Islami Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, pledged loyalty to Bangladesh.
The BNP coalition won 212 seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance secured 77. Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman pledged that his party would serve as a “vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition,” despite challenging results in 32 constituencies.
Only seven women were directly elected, with an additional 50 reserved seats allocated by party vote share. Four minority members, including two Hindus, also won seats.
Despite pre-election unrest, polling day passed peacefully, and the election results have been met with relative calm. Analysts, including Thomas Kean from Crisis Group, noted that strong economic performance by the new government could facilitate broader stability and help tackle other challenges facing the country.