Dominance of Bangladesh’s ruling party will increase

Subject

Authoritarian rule of the Awami League in Bangladesh.

Significance

Elections are due in Bangladesh in late 2018. After nearly nine years in power -- the longest for any elected government in Bangladesh’s history -- the Awami League (AL) has established unprecedented control over political institutions. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is in disarray.

Impacts

• The AL will claim good economic management, highlighting 7.28% GDP growth in the fiscal year ending June 2017.
• Bangladesh will step up negotiations with Sri Lanka over a free trade agreement, hoping to access the Colombo port.
• Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar may be strained over the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.