Bangladesh Interim Government Resigns After Election

Muhammad Yunus announced Monday evening that he has resigned as head of Bangladesh’s interim government, four days after parliamentary elections delivered a decisive victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

In a televised address, Yunus, 85, confirmed he was stepping down from office, stating that his administration had rebuilt key institutions and paved the way for reforms during its temporary leadership.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured 212 of the 300 parliamentary seats in Thursday’s legislative vote, positioning party leader Tarique Rahman to head the next government. Rahman, 60, is expected to be sworn in with his cabinet on Tuesday.

Yunus assumed interim leadership in August 2024 following the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A globally recognized economist, Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering microfinance initiatives that helped lift millions out of poverty.

He had previously stated he would step down once national elections were completed. One of the most significant achievements of his interim administration was overseeing a parliamentary vote that proceeded without widespread violence, a notable departure from previous electoral cycles.

Yunus said the election process established a positive precedent involving voters, political parties and electoral institutions, expressing hope that it would serve as a benchmark for future democratic contests.

The resignation marks a pivotal transition in Bangladesh’s political landscape as the country prepares for a new administration following a closely watched parliamentary election.