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 and Nepal. 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 reform steps in many countries, impacting reforms.
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 of 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 holding meaningful talks and generating 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 economic, political and other reforms successful but also for making reforms better and more desirable with the crucial opinion of political parties. For this, it is crucial to put emphasis on inclusivity and holding dialogues with different political parties, understand their concerns with the 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 reforms in different countries including, but not limited to, Bangladesh.
But political parties also need to provide their support for the reasoned economic, political and other reforms during interim governments in different countries. Notably, major reforms, which often aim at improving economic conditions, addressing political concerns and bringing many other changes including reducing corruption and improving the overall public trust in government institutions, during both the regular government and interim time are also beneficial for the political parties, including major parties, along with people. When the interim government is in place after the overthrow of the earlier regime through movements or conflicts, major reforms often turn out to be needed more.
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 the interim government and procedural difficulties. But constitutional reforms during the interim government are neither undesired nor uncommon in institutionalizing the achievements of revolutions and movements. Political consensus and the good intentions of the parties involved can help address legal and procedural challenges and make reform steps better for all.
