Tariq Rahman has officially formed Bangladesh's first elected government since the resignations following the 2024 protests that successfully ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had held power for nearly 15 years. Rahman, at 60 years old, took the oath of office on Tuesday and now leads a cabinet consisting of 50 members, with key responsibilities retained by himself including defense and the military.

The inaugural meeting of this new government comes at a time when Bangladesh is grappling with significant economic challenges characterized by rising inflation, increasing unemployment rates, and stagnant investments, especially affecting the crucial textile sector which is the country's second-largest source of exports. The appointment of a seasoned politician, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, as the new Minister of Finance underscores the government’s intent to stabilize the economy given Chowdhury's extensive political background.

These events unfold amidst widespread popular expectations of political and economic reform, following a transitional period of one and a half years marked by turbulence after the dramatic change in leadership. The 2024 protests were notably led by the 'Generation Z' movement, reflecting a younger demographic's desire for substantial changes in governance and socioeconomic conditions in Bangladesh.