In the new political reality of Bangladesh, the first session of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) was, in a way, a combined reflection of expectations, possibilities and uncertainties. This session was an important opportunity to seek initial guidance on the new phase of democratic progress starting with the 2026 elections. However, despite lively discussions, it is difficult to call the session completely satisfactory as fundamental questions about the reform remained unanswered.
In discussions about democracy, an important distinction is often overlooked – change and consolidation. A state may begin its journey towards democracy, but if it fails to institutionally strengthen or stabilize that democracy, the journey becomes unsustainable.
The political history of Bangladesh is witness to this reality. Even after the return to democracy in 1991, it did not take institutional form; Instead, over time, the country has experienced a tendency toward authoritarian rule. In that context, the period after 2026 was being seen as an opportunity to re-institutionalize democracy. However, the first session of the Parliament could not provide any effective framework to meet those expectations.