Tarique Rahman sworn in as new Bangladesh prime minister
Al Jazeera23 hrs
Tarique Rahman Sworn in as Bangladesh Prime Minister
Is this Bangladesh's democratic rebirth or a pre-planned farce empowering extremists?
Above: Mohammed Shahabuddin (L) administers the oath-taking ceremony of Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Feb. 17. Image credit: Kazi Salahuddin Razu/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
Bangladesh finally broke free from 15 years of autocratic tyranny as Tarique Rahman took office following a landslide victory in elections the EU called fair and credible. After enduring exile, torture and fabricated charges under Hasina's fascist regime, Rahman's triumph represents the people's long-suppressed democratic will. This marks the nation's first truly elected prime minister since 2008.
Left narrative
This election was a pre-planned farce that banned one of the country's largest political parties while empowering Islamist extremists. The turnout figures are mathematically impossible — including a claim of 381,339 votes per minute at one point — and signify industrial-scale manipulation. Banning the Awami League made it as illegitimate as banning Democrats in America or Labour in Britain.
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Public Figures
The Controversies
Political split
LEFT
RIGHT
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0