From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh is, in practice, the most powerful political position in Bangladesh. The President of Bangladesh is considered senior to the Prime Minister, but holds a largely ceremonial role. The Prime Minister has effective control over the executive arm of government, and presides over the country's cabinet.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President based on the situation in the Jatiya Sangsad (the Bangladeshi parliament). The Prime Minister will usually be the leader of the largest party (or coalition) in the Jatiya Sangsad, and must have the confidence of the Jatiya Sangsad to govern.
There is sometimes a certain amount of debate over who should be considered a Prime Minister. Mashiur Rahman governed under the title "Senior Minister", while Mohammad Habibur Rahman and Latifur Rahman headed caretaker governments under the title "Chief Adviser". Excluding caretaker leaders (but including Mashiur Rahman, the Senior Minister), there have been Prime Ministers of Bangladesh. One person, Khaleda Zia, has held the position on two non-consecutive occasions. She also holds the record for the longest total time served as Prime Minister. However, Sheikh Hasina Wajed narrowly holds the record for the longest unbroken premiership, with her term in office lasting a few weeks longer than Khaleda Zia's first term.
{| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=98% |- | |Name |Took Office |Left Office |Party |- bgcolor=#E9DFCC |1 |Tajuddin Ahmed |11 April 1971 |13 January 1972 | Awami League |- bgcolor=#E9DFCC |2 |Mujibur Rahman |13 January 1972 |26 January 1975 | Awami League |- bgcolor=#E9DFCC |3 |Mohammad Mansoor Ali |26 January 1975 |15 August 1975 | Awami League |- bgcolor=#DDFFDD |4 |Mashiur Rahman |29 June 1978 |12 March 1979 | Nationalist Party |- bgcolor=#DDFFDD |5 |Shah Azizur Rahman |15 April 1979 |24 March 1982 | Nationalist Party |- bgcolor=#DDEEFF |6 |Ataur Rahman Khan |30 March 1984 |9 July 1986 |Jatiya Party |- bgcolor=#DDEEFF |7 |Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury |9 July 1986 |27 March 1988 |Jatiya Party |- bgcolor=#DDEEFF |8 |Moudud Ahmed |27 March 1988 |12 August 1989 |Jatiya Party |- bgcolor=#DDEEFF |9 |Kazi Zafar Ahmed |12 August 1989 |6 December 1990 |Jatiya Party |- bgcolor=#DDFFDD |10 |Khaleda Zia, 1st time |20 March 1991 |30 March 1996 | Nationalist Party |- bgcolor=#EEEEEE | |Mohammad Habibur Rahman |30 March 1996 |23 June 1996 |(none) |- bgcolor=#E9DFCC |11 |Sheikh Hasina Wajed |23 June 1996 |15 July 2001 | Awami League |- bgcolor=#EEEEEE | |Latifur Rahman |15 July 2001 |10 October 2001 |(none) |- bgcolor=#DDFFDD | |Khaleda Zia, 2nd time |10 October 2001 |(present) | Nationalist Party |}
