Bangladesh's new PM, political heir Tarique Rahman
Dhaka (AFP) – Long overshadowed by his parents and heir to one of Bangladesh's most powerful political dynasties, the country's new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has finally stepped into the spotlight.
Issued on: 17/02/2026 - RFI
Tarique Rahman's rise marks a remarkable turnaround for a man who only returned home in December after 17 years in exile in Britain
© MUNIR UZ ZAMAN / AFP
At 60, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) takes charge of the South Asian nation of 170 million, driven by what he calls an ambition to "do better".
A year and a half after the deadly uprising that toppled previous prime minister Sheikh Hasina's iron-fisted rule, the BNP won a "sweeping victory" in parliamentary elections on February 12.
He was sworn in on Tuesday, leading a more than two-thirds majority in parliament.
"This victory belongs to people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy," he said in a speech.
His rise marks a remarkable turnaround for a man who only returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain, far from Dhaka's political storms.
Widely known as Tarique Zia, he carries a political name that has shaped every stage of his life.
He was 15 when his father, president Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981.
Tarique's mother, Khaleda Zia -- a three-time prime minister and a towering figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades -- died aged 80 in December, just days after his return home.
At 60, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) takes charge of the South Asian nation of 170 million, driven by what he calls an ambition to "do better".
A year and a half after the deadly uprising that toppled previous prime minister Sheikh Hasina's iron-fisted rule, the BNP won a "sweeping victory" in parliamentary elections on February 12.
He was sworn in on Tuesday, leading a more than two-thirds majority in parliament.
"This victory belongs to people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy," he said in a speech.
His rise marks a remarkable turnaround for a man who only returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain, far from Dhaka's political storms.
Widely known as Tarique Zia, he carries a political name that has shaped every stage of his life.
He was 15 when his father, president Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981.
Tarique's mother, Khaleda Zia -- a three-time prime minister and a towering figure in Bangladeshi politics for decades -- died aged 80 in December, just days after his return home.
'My country'
Rahman, speaking to AFP just before the vote, vowed to build on their legacy.
"They are them, I am me," he said from his office, beneath gold-framed portraits of his late parents. "I will try to do better than them."
Tarique Rahman, widely known in Bangladesh as Tarique Zia, carries a political name that has shaped every stage of his life
© Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
He described the "mixed feelings" that overwhelmed him when he arrived home in December -- the joy of returning, swiftly eclipsed by grief at his mother's death.
Instead of celebrating, however, he had to bid farewell to his ailing mother, who had long been in intensive care.
"When you come home after so long, any son wants to hug his mother," he said. "I didn't have that chance."
Within days of landing in Dhaka, the still grieving heir assumed leadership of the BNP.
'Unnerves many'
Born when the country was still East Pakistan, he was briefly detained as a child during the 1971 independence war.
His party hails him as "one of the youngest prisoners of war".
He described the "mixed feelings" that overwhelmed him when he arrived home in December -- the joy of returning, swiftly eclipsed by grief at his mother's death.
Instead of celebrating, however, he had to bid farewell to his ailing mother, who had long been in intensive care.
"When you come home after so long, any son wants to hug his mother," he said. "I didn't have that chance."
Within days of landing in Dhaka, the still grieving heir assumed leadership of the BNP.
'Unnerves many'
Born when the country was still East Pakistan, he was briefly detained as a child during the 1971 independence war.
His party hails him as "one of the youngest prisoners of war".
Tarique Rahman grew up in his mother's political orbit as she went on to become the country’s first female prime minister
© Munir UZ ZAMAN / AFP
His father, Ziaur Rahman, an army commander, gained influence months after a 1975 coup when founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- Sheikh Hasina's father -- was murdered.
It entrenched a rivalry between the two families that would define the country's politics for decades. Ziaur Rahman himself was killed in 1981.
Rahman grew up in his mother's political orbit as she went on to become the country's first female prime minister, alternating power with Hasina in a long and bitter duel.
"In her seats, I used to go and I used to campaign," Rahman said. "So this is how slowly and gradually I started getting involved in the politics."
But his career has also been shadowed by allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
A 2006 US embassy cable said he "inspires few but unnerves many".
Other cables labelled him a "symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics" and accused him of being "phenomenally corrupt".
Arrested on corruption charges in 2007, Rahman says he was tortured in custody.
He fled to London the following year, where he faced multiple cases in absentia. He denied all charges and dismissed them as politically motivated.
But he also told AFP he offered an apology.
"If there are any mistakes which were unwanted, we are sorry for that," he told AFP.
After Hasina's fall, Rahman was acquitted of the most serious charge against him -- a life sentence handed down in absentia for a 2004 grenade attack on a Hasina rally -- which he had always denied.
Married to a cardiologist and father to a daughter, a lawyer, he led a quiet life in Britain.
That changed with his dramatic return in December, accompanied by his fluffy ginger cat, Zebu, images of which went viral on Bangladeshi social media.
He admits the task ahead is now "immense", rebuilding a country he says was "destroyed" by the former government.
© 2026 AFP
His father, Ziaur Rahman, an army commander, gained influence months after a 1975 coup when founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- Sheikh Hasina's father -- was murdered.
It entrenched a rivalry between the two families that would define the country's politics for decades. Ziaur Rahman himself was killed in 1981.
Rahman grew up in his mother's political orbit as she went on to become the country's first female prime minister, alternating power with Hasina in a long and bitter duel.
"In her seats, I used to go and I used to campaign," Rahman said. "So this is how slowly and gradually I started getting involved in the politics."
But his career has also been shadowed by allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
A 2006 US embassy cable said he "inspires few but unnerves many".
Other cables labelled him a "symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics" and accused him of being "phenomenally corrupt".
Arrested on corruption charges in 2007, Rahman says he was tortured in custody.
He fled to London the following year, where he faced multiple cases in absentia. He denied all charges and dismissed them as politically motivated.
But he also told AFP he offered an apology.
"If there are any mistakes which were unwanted, we are sorry for that," he told AFP.
After Hasina's fall, Rahman was acquitted of the most serious charge against him -- a life sentence handed down in absentia for a 2004 grenade attack on a Hasina rally -- which he had always denied.
Married to a cardiologist and father to a daughter, a lawyer, he led a quiet life in Britain.
That changed with his dramatic return in December, accompanied by his fluffy ginger cat, Zebu, images of which went viral on Bangladeshi social media.
He admits the task ahead is now "immense", rebuilding a country he says was "destroyed" by the former government.
© 2026 AFP
Bangladesh's interim leader Yunus resigns, handing power to elected government
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus stepped down on Monday before handing over to an elected government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader Tarique Rahman. Bangladeshi voters held national elections and endorsed sweeping democratic reforms via referendum in February following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina and her iron-fisted government.
Issued on: 16/02/2026
By: FRANCE 24
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus waves after casting his vote as he comes out of a polling center in Dhaka, on February 12, 2026. © Mahmud Hossain Opu, AP
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus stepped down on Monday in a farewell broadcast to the nation before handing over to an elected government.
"Today, the interim government is stepping down," the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said.
"But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that has begun not be halted."
Yunus returned from self-imposed exile in August 2024, days after the iron-fisted government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown by a student-led uprising and she fled by helicopter to India.
"That was the day of great liberation," he said. "What a day of joy it was! Bangladeshis across the world shed tears of happiness. The youth of our country freed it from the grip of a demon."
He has led Bangladesh as its "chief adviser" since, and now hands over power after congratulating the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman on a "landslide victory" in elections last week.
"The people, voters, political parties, and stakeholder institutions linked to the election have set a commendable example," Yunus said.
"This election has set a benchmark for future elections."
Rahman, 60, chief of the BNP and scion of one of the country's most powerful political dynasties, will lead the South Asian nation of 170 million.
'Rebuilt institutions'
Bangladeshi voters endorsed sweeping democratic reforms in a national referendum, a key pillar of Yunus's post-uprising transition agenda, on the same day as the elections.
The lengthy document, known as the "July Charter" after the month when the uprising that toppled Hasina began, proposes term limits for prime ministers, the creation of an upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and greater judicial independence.
"We did not start from zero – we started from a deficit," he said.
"Sweeping away the ruins, we rebuilt institutions and set the course for reforms."
The referendum noted that approval would make the charter "binding on the parties that win" the election, obliging them to endorse it.
However, several parties raised questions before the vote, and the reforms will still require ratification by the new parliament.
The BNP alliance won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, according to the Election Commission.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman conceded on Saturday, saying his Islamist party would "serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition".
Newly elected 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.
However, despite weeks of turbulence ahead of the polls, voting day passed without major unrest and the country has responded to the results with relative calm.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus stepped down on Monday before handing over to an elected government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader Tarique Rahman. Bangladeshi voters held national elections and endorsed sweeping democratic reforms via referendum in February following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina and her iron-fisted government.
Issued on: 16/02/2026
By: FRANCE 24
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus waves after casting his vote as he comes out of a polling center in Dhaka, on February 12, 2026. © Mahmud Hossain Opu, APBangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus stepped down on Monday in a farewell broadcast to the nation before handing over to an elected government.
"Today, the interim government is stepping down," the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said.
"But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that has begun not be halted."
Yunus returned from self-imposed exile in August 2024, days after the iron-fisted government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown by a student-led uprising and she fled by helicopter to India.
"That was the day of great liberation," he said. "What a day of joy it was! Bangladeshis across the world shed tears of happiness. The youth of our country freed it from the grip of a demon."
He has led Bangladesh as its "chief adviser" since, and now hands over power after congratulating the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman on a "landslide victory" in elections last week.
"The people, voters, political parties, and stakeholder institutions linked to the election have set a commendable example," Yunus said.
"This election has set a benchmark for future elections."
Rahman, 60, chief of the BNP and scion of one of the country's most powerful political dynasties, will lead the South Asian nation of 170 million.
'Rebuilt institutions'
Bangladeshi voters endorsed sweeping democratic reforms in a national referendum, a key pillar of Yunus's post-uprising transition agenda, on the same day as the elections.
The lengthy document, known as the "July Charter" after the month when the uprising that toppled Hasina began, proposes term limits for prime ministers, the creation of an upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and greater judicial independence.
"We did not start from zero – we started from a deficit," he said.
"Sweeping away the ruins, we rebuilt institutions and set the course for reforms."
The referendum noted that approval would make the charter "binding on the parties that win" the election, obliging them to endorse it.
However, several parties raised questions before the vote, and the reforms will still require ratification by the new parliament.
The BNP alliance won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, according to the Election Commission.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman conceded on Saturday, saying his Islamist party would "serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition".
Newly elected 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.
However, despite weeks of turbulence ahead of the polls, voting day passed without major unrest and the country has responded to the results with relative calm.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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