King of Jordan dissolves Parliament and calls for early elections
Tue 24 Nov 2009
Jordan's King Abdullah has dissolved Parliament on 23 November and called for early elections, as was reported by state television. The King issued a royal edict ordering the dissolution of what is widely considered a rubber stamp assembly, composed of 110 mainly tribal pro-government loyalists, as of November 24.
Parliament was elected in November 2007 under a controversial electoral law that reduced the representation of the largely Palestinian-dominated cities, which are Islamic strongholds, in favor of rural and Bedouin areas. The Islamist influence in a Parliament dominated by the local concerns of tribal candidates, was also reduced in the fourth multi-party polls since the revival of Parliamentary life after riots in 1989. Successive governments have sidelined Parliament and eroded the democratic gains made since 1989.
No reasons were given for the sudden move. Some people in political circles had speculated the palace was considering it for several months after the assembly lost credibility during a year in which opponents said it was incompetent in handling legislation.
The government has four months now to declare new elections but lawmakers say the constitution allows the king to delay them. Constitutionally, most powers rest with the king, who appoints governments and approves legislation.
Growing disappointment about economic situation
Liberal politicians say the move could indicate a wider government shake-up to ward off popular disappointment over economic contraction after years of growth, and allegations of official graft. Many politicians have accused Prime Minister Nader Dahabi's government of mismanagement as it grappled with the impact of the global downturn on the aid-dependent economy and a rise in public debt to record levels.
Regional issue
King Abdullah had been counting on a new U.S. drive for Middle East peace, and the stalemate in Israeli-Palestinian relations is casting a shadow on a country a majority of whose six million citizens are of Palestinian origin. Many Jordanians fear their countrymen of Palestinian origin will settle permanently in the kingdom if they cannot return to the Palestinian territories, and are resisting their political empowerment in Jordan.
Sources: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Reuters
Back to news
