Jordanian policemen surround protesters to prevent them from reaching the nearby cabinet headquarters, in the capital Amman, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. (AP/Raad Adayleh)
AMMAN, Jordan — Hundreds of protesters have called on the Jordanian prime minister to resign over his tax policies and perceived failure to improve the country’s economy.
Friday’s protests in Jordan’s capital of Amman came several months after Omar Razzaz’s predecessor was toppled in large-scale protests against a tax reform plan. Critics at the time said the reforms disproportionately hit the poor and middle class.
Razzaz promised to be more inclusive in coming up with reforms, but is also under pressure from international lenders to cut the government’s large deficit.
On Friday, protesters chanted, “Leave, leave Razzaz” and called for the latest version of the tax bill to be annulled. Police kept them from the prime minister’s office.
This January 15, 2017 file photo shows then-newly appointed Jordanian education minister Omar Razzaz, following a meeting at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan. (Khalil Mazraawi, Pool via AP, File)
Protests over the summer had been larger, mainly because of organized union backing.
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