The newly formed National Citizen Party has unveiled its vision for a ‘Second Republic’ in Bangladesh. At the party’s inauguration, its leader Nahid Islam presented a declaration outlining the centrist party’s principles and objectives.
The concept of a ‘Second Republic’ refers to a transformation of the political system through democratic means, including constitutional reform and restructuring of political institutions, often following a revolution or mass uprising. Political analysts note that the term has been used globally to signify transitions between political systems or governments.
Led by figures from the July uprising, the party also proposes the formation of a constituent assembly. Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, a professor at Jahangirnagar University, explained that the idea of a Second Republic suggests correcting the failures of the first through reforms and a new constitution, resulting in a significant political transformation.
Dhaka University’s political science professor, Sabbir Ahmed, noted that while the people of Bangladesh had gained ownership of the state through the country’s independence in 1971, they lost it over time. According to him, the 2024 mass uprising restored that ownership, and the new party now seeks to institutionalize this change by establishing a Second Republic.
Historically, the concept of a ‘Second Republic’ has been observed in several nations. In France, the Second Republic (1848–1852) replaced the monarchy of King Louis-Philippe but was soon overtaken by a coup that led to the establishment of the Second Empire under Napoleon III. France has since gone through five republics, with the current one dating back to 1958.
Similarly, Spain’s Second Republic (1931–1939) emerged after King Alfonso XIII was forced into exile following a surge in republican support. It introduced secular reforms, including the separation of church and state. However, the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) led to its downfall, with Francisco Franco establishing a dictatorship that lasted until 1975.
