Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister on Tuesday, following a decisive win by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in parliamentary elections. His party secured a commanding two-thirds majority, returning to power after nearly twenty years.
Rahman, 60, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated President Ziaur Rahman. He now faces key challenges, including restoring political stability, reviving investor confidence, and rebuilding critical sectors like the garment industry. These sectors were heavily affected after the Gen Z-led uprising that removed Sheikh Hasina from power in 2024.
An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus managed the country during the transitional period before the elections. Breaking from tradition, Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony was held outdoors at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban instead of the usual Bangabhaban presidential residence. President Mohammed Shahabuddin officiated the ceremony, attended by diplomats, officials, and foreign representatives from China, India, and Pakistan.
The Islamist party Jamaat‑e‑Islami won 68 seats, forming the main opposition alongside allied parties. The Awami League was banned from contesting after its registration was revoked by the Election Commission.
Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh last year after 17 years in self-imposed exile in London. His return, shortly before his mother’s death, energized the BNP and reshaped the election campaign. Despite corruption allegations, which he denies, Rahman’s political comeback marks a major shift in Bangladesh’s landscape.
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In his first public remarks, Rahman called for peace and restraint. He urged supporters to maintain law and order and warned that chaos or retaliation would not be tolerated.
