Bangladesh’s Yunus steps down ahead of elected govt takeover

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus stepped down on Monday in a farewell broadcast to the nation before handing over power to an elected government.

“Today, the interim government is stepping down,” the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said, while urging that the progress made in democracy, freedom of speech and fundamental rights should not be reversed.

Yunus returned from self-imposed exile in August 2024, days after the government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown by a student-led uprising and she fled to India.

Recalling the events, Yunus described that moment as one of liberation, saying Bangladeshis across the world celebrated with joy. He credited the country’s youth for freeing the nation from authoritarian rule.

Since then, Yunus has served as Bangladesh’s “chief adviser,” leading the interim administration through a transition period.

He congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman on a landslide victory in elections held last week, calling the process a benchmark for future polls.

Rahman, 60, chief of the BNP and a prominent political figure, is now set to lead the South Asian nation of around 170 million people.

On the same day as the elections, Bangladeshi voters also endorsed sweeping democratic reforms through a national referendum. The reforms were outlined in the “July Charter,” named after the month when the uprising began.

The charter proposes term limits for prime ministers, the creation of an upper house of parliament, stronger presidential authority and enhanced judicial independence.

“We did not start from zero — we started from a deficit,” Yunus said, adding that his interim government rebuilt institutions and set the course for reforms.

The referendum approval makes the charter binding on winning parties, though ratification by the new parliament will still be required.

According to the Election Commission, the BNP alliance won 212 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured 77 seats. Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman conceded defeat, pledging to serve as a peaceful opposition.

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New lawmakers are expected to be sworn in on Tuesday, after which Tarique Rahman is set to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister.

Police records show that political clashes during the campaign period killed five people and injured more than 600. Despite pre-election turbulence, voting day passed without major unrest, and the country has responded to the results with relative calm.