Tarique Rahman has been sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, days after his party swept the first vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that expelled the then-leader, Sheikh Hasina.
He was sworn in by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, in a televised ceremony held outside the parliament building in the capital, Dhaka.
Breaking with tradition, the swearing‑in ceremony was held at the South Plaza of the national parliament building, instead of the Bangabhaban, the President’s official residence.
In his victory speech on Saturday,Rahman said, “This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy,” adding that this victory belongs to people “who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy.”
However, he also spoke of the challenges ahead, including tackling the economic woes of the country.
“We are about to begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by the authoritarian regime, weakened constitutional and statutory institutions, and a deteriorating law and order situation.”
Tarique Rahman
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured more than a two-thirds majority in last week’s elections.
The BNP and its allies won at least 212 seats. Elections were held in 299 constituencies in the 350-seat parliament, giving it a strong majority, while the Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 77 seats. Hasina’s Awami League was banned from participating.
Jamaat and the NCP did not attend the ceremony in protest after Rahman’s party rejected the interim government’s request for its lawmakers to take an additional oath under the proposed “Constitution Reform Council.” The council intends to amend the constitution following the referendum held alongside the national election
Earlier, inside the parliament’s oath room, lawmakers pledged loyalty to Bangladesh as they were sworn in by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
Foreign dignitaries, including the Pakistani foreign minister and the speaker of the Indian Parliament, were in attendance.
More than 60 percent of the electorate voted to pass the July National Chartercharter in a referendum held with the general elections.
The sweeping document introduces term limits, a two-chamber parliament and limits the governing party’s ability to make unilateral amendments, among other changes.
Rahman Vows To Faithfully Discharge Duties
Rahman, who only returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain, asserted that he will “faithfully” discharge the duties of the office of prime minister of the government in accordance with the law.
Rahman is taking over from an interim government that led the country for 18 months after Hasina’s ousting. He will also be tasked with implementing the July National Charter, which contains 80-plus prospective reforms of Bangladesh’s governance system.
The new leader has pledged to restore stability and revive growth after months of turmoil that rattled investor confidence in Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment exporter.
He has also called for all parties to “remain united” in a country polarised by years of bitter rivalry.
Rahman’s elevation caps a long and turbulent political journey. He returned to Bangladesh last year after 17 years of self‑imposed exile in London, arriving shortly before his mother’s death.
Rivals have long criticised his political record, pointing to corruption allegations he denies, but his return energised party supporters and reshaped the BNP’s campaign.
Cabinet members were also slated to be sworn in on Tuesday.
Despite tight security, hundreds of people gathered outside the grounds throughout the day, awaiting the proceedings.
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