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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won another term in power in a contentious general election that was boycotted by the main opposition and drew a low turnout.
Bangladesh's main opposition party has decided to boycott the upcoming national election following a monthslong crackdown that has seen thousands of party leaders and members arrested.
As China and the US jostle for influence in Asia, French President Emmanuel Macron offered an alternative to Bangladesh during a visit. However, he refrained from commenting on the country's poor human rights record.
Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections by January 2024, and observers say the EU has a key role to play in ensuring that the polls are free of electoral manipulation and misconduct.
PM Sheikh Hasina has downplayed Washington's importance and suggested making friends on other continents. Her comments may not help ease Western pressure over rights violations and Bangladesh's poor democracy record.