Tarique Rahman frontrunner for PM post: The Economist

Published : Tuesday, 3 February, 2026 at 11:21 PM Count : 1289

UK-based weekly magazine 'The Economist' has identified Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman as the front-runner for the office of Prime Minister in the upcoming national elections.

In a detailed analysis published Monday, the publication noted that the 60-year-old scion of Bangladesh’s most prominent political family is the top claimant to lead the country following the general elections scheduled for February 12.

The report characterizes the upcoming vote as a landmark event, being the first since the "Generation Z" led revolution 18 months ago. That uprising successfully ended the 15-year tenure of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, which the magazine described as a period marked by corruption and "murderous" suppression.

The Economist highlights that a successful democratic transition is expected to restore law and order, provide much-needed assurance to international investors, and begin the process of repairing Bangladesh’s historically complex relationship with India.

This projection by 'The Economist' aligns with recent profiles from other global media giants, including 'Time' and 'Bloomberg', which have similarly positioned Tarique as the likely next leader. The analysis vividly recounts Tarique’s homecoming on December 25, 2025, after 17 years in exile. It described a scene where jubilant supporters swarmed his bulletproof bus, forcing it to move at a snail’s pace for miles so that the "waiting fans" could catch a glimpse of the returning leader.

The magazine also sheds light on the significant "voter gap" in Bangladesh, noting that no "proper" election has been held since 2008. Consequently, nearly 40% of the country’s 128 million voters have never had the opportunity to cast a meaningful ballot.

Citing Shafqat Munir of the security think-tank BIPSS, the report noted that for many citizens, "their votes had no value for two decades," a reality that is shifting as campaign banners now blanket the capital’s streets.

The analysis observes that the interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, has largely succeeded in stabilizing the economy. This administration is currently overseeing constitutional reforms designed to prevent future autocracy, such as the creation of an upper house in parliament and a 10-year limit on the Prime Minister’s tenure.

Regarding political rivals, The Economist noted that while Jamaat-e-Islami claims it will govern with moderation, the party’s rise has caused concern among the urban middle class.

The report highlighted Jamaat’s failure to field any female candidates and questioned if a party that has never held more than 18 seats in parliament possesses the experience to govern. "All this opens a door for Tarique," the report states, noting that the BNP currently leads in national opinion polls.

Observers noted that the man who returned from London appears "different" from his earlier political persona. Tarique has focused his campaign on job creation, promising to support investors and provide high-level technical training for the youth to secure better employment abroad. His environmental and infrastructure pledges include digging 20,000 kilometers of canals to address water shortages and planting 50 million trees annually.

Addressing his diplomatic outlook, Tarique suggested a pragmatic approach to international relations, specifically mentioning his ability to work with U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he described as "business-like and realistic."

Most critically, Tarique emphasized that his government would prioritize freedom of expression and the rule of law. He vowed to ensure justice for the victims of the 2024 uprising while promising that he would not use state machinery to pursue "vengeful" agendas against political opponents, stating, "Being vengeful does not do anyone any good."