Jordan moves to ‘modernize’ political system: official

Jordan is planning to “modernize” its political system, an official says, months after an unprecedented crisis in the royal palace and against a backdrop of social discontent.

The initiative aims to offer Jordanians “a political life that suits them,” says Samir al-Rifai, a former prime minister appointed this month by King Abdullah II to oversee the changes.

Jordan was rocked by an alleged plot to “destabilize” the kingdom in April that implicated Prince Hamzah, King Abdullah’s half-brother and a former crown prince. The kingdom has witnessed bouts of unrest in recent months, including scattered protests against an implemented curfew and economic hardship triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the initiative, Rifai will head a committee reflecting the particular sensitivities of the country. It is made up of 91 members representing Islamists, secularists, nationalists, communists and independents from politics, academia and civil society.

The body will present “recommendations to the government before October,” which will then submit them to both the lower and upper houses of parliament, Rifai tells a news conference in Amman.

“Our goal is to have more Jordanians represented (in parliament), to motivate them to take part in elections, and to make them feel their voice has an impact,” he says.

In order to achieve this, he says, the committee will propose “a new draft electoral law” and another proposal on “political parties for a transition to a modern Jordan.”

“We are moving towards real party political life,” he says, insisting the initiative is not subject to “any influence or interference” from the government.