Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan calls for mass protest against king's policies

Group decries what it sees as ‘foot-dragging’ on promised reforms

One day after King Abdullah II of Jordan dissolved parliament, the country’s Muslim Brotherhood called for a mass protest in Amman on Friday against what it sees as “foot-dragging” on the part of the monarchy with regard to promised reforms.

Jordanian media outlets reported that the protest, after Friday prayers, is meant to be a show of strength for the Muslim Brotherhood in the kingdom.

With the dissolution of parliament on Thursday, the king set the stage for new elections.

Jordan’s government has claimed that the need for new elections stems from reforms that they say spared Jordan the Arab Spring uprisings that have toppled four Mideast rulers so far.

Critics charge that the electoral reforms do not go far enough in curtailing King Abdullah’s powers or neutralizing distortions that ensure parliamentary strength for the supporters of the king.

The palace statement Thursday did not say when the parliamentary elections would take place.

Abdullah said recently a new parliament will elect a prime minister early next year, in response to popular demands. Up to now, the king has appointed the premier.

Under the constitution, the Cabinet must resign within a week of the parliament’s dissolution.