Bangladesh Nationalist Party Triumphs After Gen Z Uprising

Sun Feb 15 2026 03:00:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has achieved a decisive victory in the recent elections, marking a historic shift in the nation's political landscape following the Gen Z protests against authoritarian rule.

In a landslide victory, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats in the first election since the Gen Z protests that led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina. Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, promising democratic reforms and economic recovery amidst challenges stemming from previous authoritarian governance. The BNP's win signifies a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political journey, as the party aims to revitalize governance and address pressing social issues.

The centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a landslide majority in parliament, 18 months after mass protests ousted the country's longest-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The party took more than two-thirds of seats in the historic general election, with Jamaat, the country's main Islamist party, coming second. Hasina's Awami League was banned from taking part.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman is set to be the next prime minister and faces huge challenges in getting the economy back on its feet and restoring democracy after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina. Voters also backed sweeping democratic reforms in a referendum held alongside the election.

I am grateful for the love you have shown me, Rahman told well-wishers in Dhaka as he attended Friday prayers. His party said there would be no victory procession and he urged supporters to attend prayers instead of street celebrations in memory of his late mother, former PM Khaleda Zia, who died in December.

His formal election as the country's new leader will happen after new MPs are sworn in, which is expected to take place on Saturday.

Rahman's family background - his late father was also a leader of Bangladesh - is a reminder that while the BNP have promised change, Rahman, like Hasina, hails from a political dynasty.

For Rahman, it is a huge change of fortunes. He spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before returning to the country five days before his mother's death and is seen by many as largely untested.

The Awami League has questioned the legitimacy of the election given that it was unable to participate, while Jamaat has questioned the way the vote was conducted. Both it and the BNP have accused the other of voting irregularities.

While there may be mixed feelings among some about the election result and concerns over whether the BNP can deliver, voter Rashna Mahzabin expressed hope for change, appreciating that citizens have begun to voice their opinions after years of silence.

Rahman will be under great scrutiny to deliver for young voters as Bangladesh has one of the youngest populations globally, eager for economic opportunities and democratic reforms.

In a direct sentiment of international relations, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi quickly congratulated Rahman, emphasizing the importance of nurturing peace and cooperation between Bangladesh and India, which has deep-rooted historical ties.