Bangladesh: Elections Set for Late 2025

The political course in Bangladesh might soon change after the head of the current interim government, Muhammad Yunus, announced the possibility of elections by the end of 2025. This is provided that necessary electoral reforms are implemented beforehand. Yunus, the Nobel laureate and experienced economist, has been leading the interim government since August, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned amid nationwide protests and went into exile in India. For Yunus, the issue of fair elections is closely linked to political consensus and the proper creation of voter lists. If the political will is found and the necessary minor reforms are feasible, elections could take place within the specified timeframe. He stated this during a televised address on the occasion of the country's 53rd Independence Day. This development occurs against the backdrop of a power vacuum created by the withdrawal of army support for Hasina. General Waker-uz-Zaman has emphasized in previous interviews that the restoration of democracy should occur within 12 to 18 months. Opposition parties, such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, are pushing for early new elections to curb the unstable political situation. The course towards democracy remains dependent on further reforms and national consensus, warned the 84-year-old Yunus, not excluding a possible extension by another six months. These forward-looking moments are crucial for the stability and democratic progress of Bangladesh.