Bangladesh is set for its first contested presidential election in 35 years, with ruling BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir the frontrunner against opposition candidate Oli Ahmed. Parliament will vote Thursday, with Alamgir expected to become the country's 23rd president
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in exile in India, announced she will return to Dhaka in December despite facing a death sentence in absentia. At her first press conference since fleeing in August 2024, the 78‑year‑old pledged to risk arrest or assassination to “restore democracy and justice” in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party announced seven days of official mourning following the death of its chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The programme includes black flags, prayer gatherings, Quran recitations and condolence books across party offices nationwide
Bangladesh’s former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia died early Tuesday at age 80 after prolonged illness. She passed away at a Dhaka hospital while undergoing treatment, despite efforts by local and foreign medical specialists
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday after more than 17 years in self-exile in the UK. Seen as a prime ministerial contender ahead of February elections, his homecoming is viewed as a defining moment in Bangladesh politics
Leadership presence, narrative control, and the ability to project ideological credibility will determine whether the country’s fragile centre holds or succumbs to polarising forces
Political tensions in Bangladesh escalated as parties debated whether one leader should hold multiple top roles, including Prime Minister, party chief, and Leader of the House. The National Consensus Commission and several parties oppose the concentration of power, citing democratic concerns
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supports limiting a Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years but opposes forming a constitutional appointments committee. Most parties agree on the tenure cap, but disagreements persist over committee control, fueling ongoing political tensions
