Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
Bangladesh's interim government, spearheaded by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is facing increasing pressure as various political factions demand reforms and call for elections by December 2025. After violent protests led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Yunus was tasked with steering the country toward democratic reforms. However, reports now indicate that Yunus is considering resignation if political consensus cannot be reached, amid rising public impatience for reform, according to thejakartapost and channelnewsasia.
In a series of meetings, Yunus has expressed frustration over the government's inability to orchestrate a political agreement among competing parties. He reportedly stated, "If I can't work... I was brought here after a mass uprising to bring change and reform to the country," indicating that he feels incapacitated by the current political discord, according to indiatimes and aljazeera.
With a call to action from the army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman for elections to be held by December, and a looming deadline for an electoral roadmap, Yunus's administration now faces a precarious situation. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emphasized that ongoing support for Yunus's government hinges on announcement of a clear election timeline. Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed remarked, "If he [Yunus] is unable to announce a specific election date by December, we will reconsider our support for his administration," as reported by indiatimes and scmp.
Yunus's team has issued statements emphasizing unity amongst various political factions, warning of the return of authoritarianism should cooperation fail. "Broader unity is essential to maintain national stability, organise free and fair elections, justice, and reform," the government stated amid escalating protests in Dhaka, where student-led groups have expressed concerns over an anticipated crackdown on civil liberties, according to dawn and channelnewsasia.
The atmosphere in Bangladesh remains tense as Yunus must navigate the demands of multiple parties, the military’s timetable for elections, and public sentiment growing weary of the political deadlock. Analysts note that without significant reforms and a clear electoral process, the country risks descending back into chaos, as highlighted by indiatimes and timesofindia.