Sheikh Hasina Re-elected as Bangladesh PM Amid Controversy

Western nations condemn election as illegitimate, while China and Russia extend support, potentially shifting Bangladesh's foreign policy landscape.

Sheikh Hasina has been re-elected as Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a fourth consecutive term in an election boycotted by the opposition and marked by violent protests and international scrutiny.
Hasina's Awami League party won 222 out of 299 seats, extending her 15-year rule and cementing her as one of the most defining and divisive leaders in Bangladesh's history.
Western countries, including the US and UK, have criticized the election as illegitimate, while China and Russia have embraced the result, potentially leading to significant foreign policy consequences.
There is speculation that the US may impose visa restrictions and targeted sanctions against individuals involved in the conduct of the election, which could jeopardize US plans to counterbalance China's influence in the region.
Bangladesh's economy, particularly its garment industry, could be vulnerable to any punitive measures from the West, potentially pushing the country further towards China.