EU, U.S. Watching Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh with Concern
EU, U.S. Watching Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh with Concern

Author(s): Patryk Kugiel
Subject(s): Politics, Public Administration, Public Law
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: parliamentary elections; Bangladesh; Awami League; Sheikh Hasina
Summary/Abstract: The parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, which will be held on 7 January, probably will be won by the Awami League, which has been in power since 2009 and is led by the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A boycott of the vote by the main opposition party, which accuses the government of creating unequal conditions for electoral competition, as well as strong social polarisation may lead to mass protests, violence, and destabilisation in the country. This in turn may weaken the credibility of Hasina’s government and hamper Bangladesh’s cooperation with the U.S. and the EU. China and Russia may use this opportunity to increase their influence in South Asia.

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