United News of Bangladesh

A total of 133 ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government have been referred to a special parliamentary committee for review, with the panel asked to submit its report by April 2. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman moved the proposal in the Parliament on Sunday to send the ordinances to the special committee. The House later adopted the proposal, formally placing the ordinances under the committee’s scrutiny. The ordinances had earlier been tabled in Parliament by the Law Minister during the first sitting. On that day, the House also constituted the special committee to examine and sort the ordinances. The committee will review the ordinances and place its recommendations before Parliament within the stipulated timeframe.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said the issue of forming a Constitutional Reform Council may be discussed on the floor of the Parliament. “The discussion may take place on the floor (of the House). It was not discussed here,” he said when asked about the Constitutional Reform Council. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, the Home Minister said the matter was not discussed in the committee meeting but could be raised during the parliamentary session. The minister said Saturday’s meeting was the first sitting of the Business Advisory Committee, where members discussed the duration of the first session of parliament, the agenda for debates, proposed bills and the time allocation for discussion on the President’s address. According to him, the House will adjourn on March 15. It will remain prorogued from March 16 to March 28 and resume on March 29. The parliamentary session is expected to continue throughout April. Regarding the ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government, the minister said a special parliamentary committee had been formed last Thursday to review them. He said such a committee is traditionally formed before the constitution of ministry-related standing committees. The Law Minister will formally place the matter in parliament, after which the ordinances will be sent to the special committee for scrutiny and review before being presented to the House in the form of reports, he said. Asaduzzaman, the Law Minister, said discussions on the issue would take place in parliament. “We will present our position in parliament. Parliament is the centre of all discussions,” he said in response to a question about the political debate surrounding the Constitutional Reform Council. Mirza Abbas's post-surgery scan report 'good' Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said the opposition would present its position during the discussion on the President’s address. “We will explain why we walked out and why we felt it was inappropriate for the President to deliver that speech. We will present our position but will not offer thanks to the President,” he said. On constitutional reform, he added that the opposition leader would raise the issue of the Constitutional Reform Council in parliament at an appropriate time. He also noted that since the referendum verdict favoured constitutional reforms, there had been an expectation that a separate constitutional reform session would be convened alongside the parliamentary session. “The government side had earlier said the matter would be discussed in parliament. We want to hear the government’s position there and will determine our course of action accordingly,” he said. The opposition, he added, would like to see the current parliament transformed into a Constitutional Reform Council as soon as possible.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday emphasised the need for firm control of corruption and improvement of law and order to successfully implement the government’s reform agenda and strengthen democratic governance in the country. The President said this while delivering the inaugural address on the first day of the new parliament, in line with constitutional practice. He said the popular uprising of 2024 sought to bring about the fall of fascism and establish a democratic state and society based on justice and equity, where the government would remain accountable to the people through their direct vote. President's Speech at JS: Govt committed to democracy, corruption control and economic transformation As part of rebuilding state institutions in the aftermath of that political change, the government constituted 11 reform commissions to recommend reforms in sectors of critical national importance. The President said the government also presented its electoral manifesto to the people under the slogan “We Will Work, and Will Build the Country Together, Bangladesh Before All.” According to him, the manifesto places special emphasis on three key principles in reforming governance — democracy, accountability and good governance. However, he noted that the successful implementation of these initiatives largely depends on bringing corruption under firm control and ensuring improved law and order across the country. “On both these fronts, the present government is acting with determination and resolve,” the President said. Referring to earlier anti-corruption efforts, he said that when the previous government left office in June 2001, Bangladesh had gained the unfortunate distinction of being ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world. After assuming office in October 2001, the government led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia took several decisive measures to combat corruption, including the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms to prevent corruption. As a result of those initiatives, Bangladesh was able to overcome the stigma of being labelled as the world’s most corrupt country, he said. He added that even before the government left office in October 2006, the country had shed that negative image and began to gain international recognition as one of Asia’s emerging economic performers. The President reaffirmed that suppressing corruption and maintaining law and order will remain the government’s first and foremost priorities as it moves forward with reforms and institutional strengthening.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday said sustainable development cannot be achieved without the political and economic empowerment of people and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring democratic rights in all aspects of state governance. Addressing Parliament, the President said the government, despite inheriting a fragile economic situation, is moving forward with determination to build a just, humane, self-reliant and democratic Bangladesh. He acknowledged that the newly formed government faces major challenges, particularly in poverty alleviation, combating corruption and maintaining law and order. “The path ahead may be difficult, yet with genuine political will, no obstacle is insurmountable,” he said, urging all to work together with unity and a common purpose to build a secure Bangladesh for future generations. The President said the popular uprising of 2024 aimed to end fascism and establish a democratic state founded on justice and accountability where the government remains answerable to people through their direct vote. As part of rebuilding state institutions following the fall of the previous regime, the government formed 11 reform commissions to carry out reforms in sectors of critical national importance, he said. He noted that the government presented its electoral manifesto to the people under the slogan “We Will Work, and Will Build the Country Together, Bangladesh Before All,” placing priority on three key principles—democracy, accountability and good governance. However, he said the successful implementation of the government’s plans depends largely on firm control of corruption and improvement in law and order. Highlighting past initiatives to combat corruption, the President referred to the steps taken by the government led by Khaleda Zia, including the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms to prevent corruption. He said suppressing corruption and maintaining law and order will remain among the government’s top priorities. In formulating the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2025–26 fiscal year, the government has given priority to sustaining economic growth, reducing unemployment, creating jobs, alleviating poverty, advancing agriculture and industry, developing human resources and improving the quality of life of people, the President said. He said the government is also committed to democratising the economy by dismantling oligarchic structures and ensuring greater participation of citizens. “Our central objective is to transform a debt-dependent economy into one driven by investment,” he said, adding that the government has set a target of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034. Recalling the July–August 2024 mass uprising, the President said it will remain a defining chapter in the country’s democratic history. He said the movement, which began as a quota reform protest, gradually evolved into a broader national movement against authoritarianism. Students, farmers, workers, teachers, journalists, intellectuals, members of the diaspora and people from all walks of life joined the movement alongside pro-democracy political parties, he said. Their collective struggle ultimately led to the fall of the then government on August 5, 2024, he added. The President paid tribute to those who lost their lives and were injured during the uprising, noting that more than 1,000 people were killed and at least 30,000 others injured, many of whom suffered permanent disabilities. He also remembered the sacrifices of citizens who endured enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial executions and repression during years of authoritarian rule. The government remains committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the martyrs of the 2024 uprising as well as those who sacrificed their lives in the country’s democratic struggles, including the Bangladesh Liberation War, the President said. Shahabuddin said public confidence in the country’s constitutional institutions, particularly the Bangladesh Election Commission, had fallen to a near-zero level during what he described as 'a fascist regime', in reference to the fallen AL government that elected him as president. He went on to note that the situation has begun to improve following the Thirteenth National Election. Addressing Parliament, the President said the present government is committed to ensuring that future electoral processes further strengthen people’s trust in the Election Commission. He said the government will take necessary steps so that national institutions, including the Election Commission, can perform their responsibilities independently and strictly in accordance with the law. However, the President expressed optimism that with strong political will those challenges can be overcome. He emphasised the need for unity and collective efforts, saying that the nation must always come before party interests and the party must come before individual interests.

Newly-elected Speaker of Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday called on both the government and the opposition to work together in the national interest to fulfil the aspirations of the people and strengthen democratic institutions. Addressing the House after assuming office, the Speaker said the ideals of the 1971 Liberation War—equality, human dignity and social justice—must guide the work of the current Parliament. He said the people of Bangladesh have long struggled to realise these goals and have cherished the dream of building a just and equitable society. “The responsibility of turning these aspirations into reality now lies with every member of this august House,” he said. Describing democracy as a system based on majority rule, Speaker Hafiz Uddin said both the government and the opposition must remain united in safeguarding national interests and implementing the hopes and expectations of the people. He assured the House that he would always try to ensure that the opposition can play an effective and meaningful role in Parliament. “In the interest of maintaining neutrality, I have already resigned from my position as a member of the standing committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” he said, seeking sincere cooperation from all lawmakers. He also said the Parliament must function as the centre of all political and administrative activities in the country, urging members to place national interest above party interest. “Our guiding principle should be ‘Bangladesh First’,” he said. Referring to the historic significance of the moment, the Speaker said lawmakers had gathered in the great National Parliament at a critical time in the country’s democratic journey. “The people of Bangladesh are the vigilant guardians of democracy, and this Parliament is its symbol,” he said. He said democracy in the country has been established and sustained through the sacrifice of the people. Recalling the Liberation War of 1971, he said it was essentially a war for democracy. He noted that the armed struggle began on March 26 under the leadership of Major Ziaur Rahman and soon turned into a nationwide resistance movement. People from all walks of life—including students, workers and professionals—joined the nine-month war and made immense sacrifices to achieve independence, he said, offering prayers for the souls of all martyrs of the Liberation War. The Speaker said Parliament has witnessed many stages in the development of democracy in Bangladesh, although the democratic process had been disrupted at different times. He noted that in 1975 democracy was effectively abolished when a one-party system was introduced, and the country later experienced periods of authoritarian rule. However, he said the resilient people of Bangladesh repeatedly resisted such regimes and struggled to restore democratic governance. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad also referred to the mass uprising in July-August 2024, when students, political activists and ordinary citizens united to overthrow what he described as a 'fascist government'. He paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the uprising, including Begum Rokeya University Rangpur student Abu Sayeed, Mir Mugdha of Dhaka and Chattogram Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activist Wasim Akram, praying for eternal peace for their departed souls. The Speaker also expressed satisfaction over the parliamentary election held on March 12, describing it as the fairest election he had witnessed in his experience of participating in ten national elections. “The people are now eagerly waiting to see how this Parliament performs,” he said. He emphasised that fulfilling electoral promises is the primary responsibility of every Member of Parliament and urged lawmakers to work sincerely to meet the expectations of the people. The Speaker concluded by thanking members for their cooperation and reiterating the need for unity and commitment to democratic values in the functioning of the House.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said the ruling party wants the 13th parliament to be effective and vibrant where problems will be resolved through discussion and debate. “Our goal is to run an effective, vibrant and responsible parliament. We want an environment of constructive discussion, rational argument and healthy debate on national issues in parliament,” he said. The Chief Whip made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting of BNP’s parliamentary party in the ruling party’s parliamentary party room on the ninth floor of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman in the chair. He said the beauty of democracy lies in resolving national problems through discussion despite differences of opinion. “With that goal, we are determined to turn parliament into an effective and meaningful institution.” Moni said the treasury bench also expects constructive cooperation from the opposition. He said the parliament will be run in line with its Rules of Procedure and Code of Conduct, and important laws and policy matters aimed at improving people’s living standards will be placed before the House. “The parliament session beginning tomorrow will be the people’s parliament — the highest democratic institution representing the rights, hopes and aspirations of the people of the country,” the Chief Whip added. At the beginning of the sitting on Thursday, he said a member nominated by the Prime Minister will preside temporarily. After completing the initial formalities, the Speaker will be elected and sworn in, Moni said. The Chief Whip also said the Deputy Speaker will be elected after the Speaker, though the opposition has not yet proposed any candidate.

The 13th Parliament will go into its first session on March 12 next, just one month after the February-12 general election. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has summoned the session to convene at 11:00 am on Thursday in the Parliament chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The President summoned the session under the powers conferred by Article 72(1) of the Constitution. This session will mark both the inaugural sitting of the 13th Parliament and the first parliamentary session of 2026. The parliamentary elections were held on February 12, the country’s first since the massive 2024 uprising, with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) winning it with two-thirds majority. New parliament may go into session by March 12: Salahuddin Voting in the 13th parliamentary election was held in 299 constituencies on February 12. The Election Commission of Bangladesh published the gazette notification on February 13, declaring results for 297 seats. In the 297 constituencies, BNP won in 209 parliamentary seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami in 68, NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. Later, the newly elected MPs were sworn in on February 17 and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath. BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, who was elected from two constituencies, took oath as MP from Dhaka-17 constituency, leaving Bogura-6 constituency for by-election. 6 NCP MPs-elect sworn in as members of Parliament, CRC According to Article 72(1) of the Constitution, Parliament must be summoned to meet within 30 days after the declaration of the results of polling at any general election. The same article also states that unless sooner dissolved by the President, Parliament shall stand dissolved on the expiration of five years from the date of its first meeting. So, the five-year tenure of the 13th Parliament will officially commence with its first sitting on March 12.

Six MPs-elect of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Tuesday took oath as members of the Parliament and members of the Constitution Reform Council(CRC). Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath of office to the MPs at the Oath Taking Room of Sangsad Bhaban at 1:05 pm. Earlier, BNP MPs took  oath as only members of the 13th parliament, not as members of the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday morning. Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaniz Moula conducted the oath-taking ceremony. The MPs-elect of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam took  oath as members of both the 13th Parliament and the Constitution Reform Council at 12:22 pm. The 13th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 were held on Thursday last (February 12) in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies amid festivity and peaceful atmosphere. On Friday last, the EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates. The election results of two other constituencies – Chattogram-2 and 4-- were withheld as per the court orders.  Besides, the election to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. But, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman left Bogura-6 seat for by-election, taking oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency. In the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. So, the BNP-led electoral alliance sealed victory in a total of 212 constituencies, while the Jamaat-led electoral alliance won in 77 constituencies.  

The head of Poland's parliament said Wednesday that the country's presidential election will be held on May 18, with a runoff on June 1 if needed. The election will decide whether the pro-European Union Cabinet of Prime Minister Donald Tusk will gain an ally in the presidential palace at a challenging time for Poland and for Europe, with a full-scale war in neighbouring Ukraine. The incumbent right-wing President Andrzej Duda is at odds with the government, blocking legislation and making strongly critical comments. In the latest spat, Duda chose skiing over attending a concert gala marking the launch of Poland's rotating presidency in the EU. Duda is to leave office in August, ending his second five-year term. He cannot seek another term, according to Poland’s constitution. Szymon Holownia, the powerful speaker of the lower house of parliament, or Sejm, has declared he will run for president as head of Poland 2050, a party within the ruling coalition. Austrian FM Schallenberg appointed as interim govt leader He said he was announcing the election date early in the political calendar to allow ample time for procedures and campaigning, which can officially begin from Jan. 15. The powers of the president are limited in Poland, where the government decides on domestic and international policy. The president is the supreme commander of the armed forces, cooperating with the government. He can propose legislation and veto new laws and also has a say on Poland's foreign relations. The chief governing party, the Civic Coalition, has chosen Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski as its candidate for president. Tusk, the party's leader and former head of the European Union, has chosen to stay in his government seat. The right-wing opposition party, Law and Justice, backs historian Karol Nawrocki in the election. Nawrocki, now head of a national history institute, IPN, has been a controversial figure. Recent media reports allege Nawrocki had ties to hard-right groups and acquaintances in criminal circles. Nawrocki denies the allegations. Law and Justice was ousted in the 2023 general election after eight years of turbulent, euro-sceptic rule. Duda hailed from the party and was largely its ally. A far-right leader, Slawomir Mentzen, is running in the election for the Konfederacja (Confederation) party.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday ordered parliament dissolved and set new elections for Feb. 23 in the wake of the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, saying it was the only way to give the country a stable government capable of tackling its problems. Scholz lost a confidence vote on Dec. 16 and leads a minority government after his unpopular and notoriously rancorous three-party coalition collapsed on Nov. 6 when he fired his finance minister in a dispute over how to revitalize Germany’s stagnant economy. Steinmeier said he made the decision because it was clear after consultation with party leaders that there was no agreement among Germany's political parties on a majority for a new government in the current parliament. “It is precisely in difficult times like these that stability requires a government capable of taking action and a reliable majority in parliament,” he said as he made the announcement in Berlin. "Therefore I am convinced that for the good of our country new elections are the right way.” China sanctions 7 companies over US military assistance to Taiwan Since the post-World War II constitution doesn’t allow the Bundestag to dissolve itself, it was up to Steinmeier to decide whether to dissolve parliament and call an election. He had 21 days to make that decision. Once parliament is dissolved, the election must be held within 60 days. Leaders of several major parties agreed earlier on the election date of Feb. 23, seven months earlier than originally planned. Steinmeier warned about outside interference in the poll, saying it is “a danger to democracy, whether it is covert, as was evidently the case recently in the Romanian elections, or open and blatant, as is currently being practiced particularly intensively on platform X.” A top Romanian court annulled the first round of the country’s presidential election, days after allegations emerged that Russia ran a coordinated online campaign to promote the far-right outsider who won the first round. The campaign is already well underway. Polls show Scholz’s party trailing the conservative opposition Union bloc led by Friedrich Merz. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, the remaining partner in Scholz’s government, is also bidding for the top job — though his party is further back. If recent polls hold up, the likely next government would be led by Merz as chancellor in coalition with at least one other party. Key issues include immigration, how to get the sluggish economy going, and how best to aid Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. The populist, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which is polling strongly, has nominated Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor but has no chance of taking the job because other parties refuse to work with it. Germany’s electoral system traditionally produces coalitions, and polls show no party anywhere near an absolute majority on its own. The election is expected to be followed by weeks of negotiations to form a new government. It’s only the fourth time that the Bundestag has been dissolved ahead of schedule under Germany’s post-World War II constitution. It happened under Chancellor Willy Brandt in 1972, Helmut Kohl in 1982 and Gerhard Schroeder in 2005. Schroeder used the confidence vote to engineer an early election narrowly won by center-right challenger Angela Merkel.