Yunus resigns as interim chief ahead of Tarique Rahman's oath as Bangladesh PM

Hours before the swearing-in of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman as the Prime Minister, the country’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Monday announced his resignation in a televised address to the nation, formally ending the caretaker administration that governed after the 2024 political upheaval.

In his farewell address, Yunus urged the country to safeguard the democratic space that had reopened during the transition period.

"Today, the interim government is stepping down. But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that has begun not be halted," he said as quoted by AFP.

The resignation clears the way for Rahman, whose BNP secured a decisive parliamentary majority in last week’s election, to assume office and form a new administration in Dhaka.

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BNP-led alliance won a commanding mandate in Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary election, taking more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats and positioning Rahman to lead the South Asian nation of about 170 million people. Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the main opposition bloc after securing dozens of seats.

Newly elected lawmakers will be sworn in on Tuesday, after which Rahman is expected to take office as prime minister. His cabinet has yet to be announced, though the party indicated it will include both senior and younger leaders.

Yunus congratulated Rahman on the outcome, describing the election as a positive benchmark for Bangladesh’s democratic process.

"The people, voters, political parties, and stakeholder institutions linked to the election have set a commendable example. This election has set a benchmark for future elections," he said.