Bangladesh: Tarique Rahman poised to be next PM

Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after more than 17 years of self-exile in London. Going into the vote, Rahman was confident he could secure enough votes to govern alone.

PoliticsBangladesh
Bangladesh: Tarique Rahman poised to be next PM
Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after more than 17 years of self-exile in London. Going into the vote, Rahman was confident he could secure enough votes to govern alone.

Tarique Rahman speaks with journalists after casting his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tarique Rahman pledged to restore peace and stability under a democratic governmentImage: Md abu sufian jewel/NurPhoto/picture alliance
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The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) prime ministerial candidate, Tarique Rahman, looks set to become the country’s next leader after the party claimed a “decisive victory” on Friday.

Rahman returned home in December after more than 17 years in self-imposed exile following mass protests in 2024 that toppled longtime premier Sheikh Hasina.

Going into Thursday’s vote, Rahman had set his sights on securing a mandate strong enough to govern alone, and he had pledged to restore peace and stability under a democratic government, following years of increasingly authoritarian rule.

“I firmly believe that if people in Bangladesh come out to cast their votes, conspiracies will not succeed. My best wishes to everyone for ushering in a new democracy,” Rahman said ahead of the historic vote.