Rahman, 60, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and late President Ziaur Rahman. He assumes office at a critical time, facing major challenges including restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and reviving key industries such as the garment sector after prolonged unrest that followed the Gen Z-led uprising which toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.
During the transitional period, the country was governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus until fresh elections were held.
In a departure from tradition, the swearing-in ceremony took place under the open sky at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh’s national parliament building, instead of the usual venue at the Bangabhaban, the president’s official residence.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Rahman and his cabinet in the presence of senior political leaders, diplomats, civil and military officials, and representatives from several countries, including China, India, and Pakistan.
The BNP secured a commanding two-thirds majority in parliament, returning to power after nearly two decades. The Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, contesting its first election since a 2013 ban was lifted following Hasina’s ouster, won a record 68 seats.
Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party was barred from contesting after the Election Commission revoked its registration. Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies, including the National Citizen Party led by youth activists involved in the anti-Hasina movement, will now sit in opposition.
Rahman’s political rise concludes a long and turbulent journey. He returned to Bangladesh last year after 17 years of self-imposed exile in London, shortly before the death of his mother, Khaleda Zia.
Although critics have repeatedly raised corruption allegations against him — which he denies — his return revitalised BNP supporters and reshaped the party’s election campaign.
In his first address after the election, Rahman called for calm and national unity. “Peace, law and order must be maintained at any cost,” he said, urging supporters to avoid acts of retaliation. “We will not tolerate any kind of chaos.