Bangladesh’s interim leader Yunus steps down as new gov’t set to take over | Sheikh Hasina News
Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Resigns Following Elections
Dhaka—Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh, announced his resignation on Monday, marking the transition to a new government following recent elections. Yunus urged citizens to continue embracing democratic principles in his farewell broadcast, stating, “Let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that has begun not be halted.”
At 85, Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, returned from a period of self-imposed exile in August 2024. He took on the role of chief adviser after a student-led uprising ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
The country held its first general elections since the uprising on February 12, where the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, achieved a decisive victory. Rahman, a member of a prominent political family, is set to assume the role of prime minister when the new government is sworn in on Tuesday.
Yunus commended the elections, which observers from the European Union deemed “credible and competently managed,” calling them a “benchmark for future elections.” He noted, “The people, voters, political parties, and stakeholder institutions linked to the election have set a commendable example.”
The BNP-led alliance secured at least 212 of the 300 parliamentary seats, providing it with a strong mandate. The Jamaat-e-Islami party came in second with 77 seats, becoming the main opposition, while Hasina’s Awami League was barred from participating.
In a statement following his party’s victory, Rahman emphasized the need for unity, saying, “Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united.”
In addition to electing their representatives, voters backed significant democratic reforms in a national referendum. The proposed reforms, known as the “July Charter,” advocate for term limits for prime ministers, the establishment of an upper house of parliament, enhanced presidential powers, and greater judicial independence. These reforms align with Yunus’s vision for a post-uprising Bangladesh.
The referendum indicated that approval of the charter would bind winning parties to adopt it. Yunus remarked, “Sweeping away the ruins, we rebuilt institutions and set the course for reforms.”
However, questions surrounding the reforms arose before the vote, and their ratification will still require approval from the new parliament. Rezaul Karim Rony, a political analyst based in Dhaka, highlighted the challenges ahead, stating, “The challenge now is to ensure good governance, law and order, and public safety, and to establish a rights-based state, which was at the heart of the aspirations of the 2024 mass uprising.”
