Reforms are often carried out during interim governments, which are in place because of several reasons including the overthrow of the government and the fall of the government after war, in many countries. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, many countries have carried out major economic and political reforms during the transitional government, especially after the fall of the government including, but not limited to, Tunisia. But the interim government faces various challenges in making reforms — crucial for development — in different countries. Support from political parties is vital for making reforms successful. But there is a lack of political cooperation in making reforms in many countries, impacting the reform steps.
It is notable that there are political and other reasons that put hindrances to political cooperation in reforms during interim governments. A lack of mandate of the interim government, a lack of trust among political factions and differing priorities among political parties and the government are crucial causes. Interim governments often lack a clear mandate from the public, making it difficult to garner widespread political support for making reforms. But in many countries, such a government gets a sort of public mandate especially when it is formed by political support and/or the support from the uprising masses. Among others, differing ideologies among political parties, the personal ambitions of key leaders and the absence of a clear roadmap for reform implementation may hinder progress in achieving cooperation many times.
Optimistically saying, the interim government’s various efforts including holding talks with political parties, working closely with key stakeholders including political parties and engaging in public outreach campaigns to make citizens aware on the benefits of the reforms often help generate political support for reforms, needed for facilitating the human development for all. But there are many limitations to the steps that often put hindrances to generate the political support needed for making major reforms in different countries. The steps of interim governments, which often have limited time frames for decision-making, are less to hold meaningful talks and generate political support. Among others, there is a lack of steps in addressing the differing interests of the government and political parties many times.
It is desirable that steps be taken by the interim government to generate political support for reforms, not only for making its intended reforms successful but also for making reforms better and more desirable with the crucial opinion of political parties. For this, it is crucial for the interim government to put emphasis on inclusivity and holding dialogues with political parties, understand their concerns with reforms and gain the trust and cooperation of them — along with the public and key stakeholders. Addressing the reasonable concerns of political parties in the reform steps can also help secure their political support in reform steps many times in different countries.
But political parties also need to provide support for the reasoned reforms during interim governments in different countries including, but not limited to, Bangladesh. Notably, reforms, which often aim at improving economic conditions, addressing political concerns and bringing other changes including reducing corruption and improving the overall public trust in government institutions, during both the regular government and interim time are beneficial for political parties, along with people. When the interim government is in place after the overthrow of the earlier regime or the conflicts, reforms turn out to be needed more. For this, the good intentions of political parties are vital.
Pertinently saying, major reforms often require constitutional change during the transitional time. This is often difficult for various reasons including the lack of authority of interim governments. But making constitutional changes during the interim government is not uncommon at all. For instance, Nepal developed interim constitutions in 2007 to institutionalize the achievements of revolutions and movements. But the good intentions of the parties including the interim government and political parties are vital to make reforms better for all.
