Bangladesh’s interim leader Yunus steps down as new gov’t set to take over

‘Let the practice of democracy continue,’ said Yunus, who has overseen the country’s post-uprising transition since 2024.Published On 16 Feb 2026Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has announced he is resigning to pave way for a new government elected several days ago.Speaking in a farewell broadcast to the nation on Monday, Yunus said the interim government he oversees “is stepping down”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What does BNP’s landslide mean for Bangladesh’s post-uprising order?list 2 of 3Who is Tarique Rahman, the man set to become Bangladesh prime minister?list 3 of 3What are the challenges facing Bangladesh’s election winners?end of list“But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that has begun not be halted,” he said.An 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, Yunus returned from self-imposed exile in August 2024 to serve as Bangladesh’s chief adviser after a student-led uprising toppled the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Bangladesh held its first general elections since that uprising on February 12, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, won a landslide victory.Rahman, a scion of one of the country’s most powerful political dynasties, is set to serve as prime minister of the incoming government when it is sworn in on Tuesday, according to Bangladeshi media.Yunus praised the recent elections, which European Union observers called “credible and competently managed” as a “benchmark for future elections”.“The people, voters, political parties, and stakeholder institutions linked to the election have set a commendable example,” Yunus said.‘We must remain united’Rahman’s BNP-led alliance won at least 212 seats in the 300-seat parliament, giving it a strong mandate to lead. In second place was the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which won 77 seats, positioning it as the main opposition party. Hasina’s Awami League party was barred from participating.