Bangladesh Swears in New Parliament, Tarique Rahman Set to Become Prime Minister

Bangladesh’s newly elected lawmakers were sworn into parliament on Tuesday, February 16, 2026, marking the first session since the deadly 2024 uprising.

Tarique Rahman, the 60-year-old leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to take over as prime minister after leading his party to a landslide victory in the February 12 elections. Rahman will succeed the interim government that has governed Bangladesh for the past 18 months following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic administration.

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. Rahman’s BNP lawmakers are expected to formally elect him as party leader, after which President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath of office to the new prime minister and his cabinet later on Tuesday.

Rahman, scion of one of Bangladesh’s most influential political families, addressed the nation in his victory speech on Saturday, saying:

“This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy. This victory belongs to people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy.”

He also warned about the challenges ahead, including reviving the economy, strengthening constitutional and legal institutions, and improving law and order in the country. Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest garment exporter, and Rahman emphasized the need to restore investor confidence after months of political turmoil.

The BNP-led coalition won 212 parliamentary seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance secured 77 seats. Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman said the party would serve as a “vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition,” although it has challenged election results in 32 constituencies.

Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was barred from participating in the elections. Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, criticized the vote as “illegal,” issuing a statement from hiding in India. In contrast, India praised the BNP’s victory as a “decisive win,” signaling a potential shift in strained bilateral relations.

Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain, marking a dramatic political comeback. He now faces the challenge of uniting a polarized nation while focusing on economic recovery and stability.