Jordan's Opposition Calls for New Elections Law Amid Parliamentary Dissolution

Strategic Insights -

Jordan's opposition parties have urged the government to dissolve the current elections law and adopt a new one that ensures proportional representation and fair representation of all sectors of society. The call comes after King Abdullah II dissolved the Lower House of Parliament, citing its failure to effectively address the country's challenges. Opposition leaders say the current law marginalizes political parties and has led to the election of a Parliament dominated by former army generals, intelligence officers, and tribal leaders.

Key Takeaways:

  • Opposition leaders, including Munir Hamarneh and Ahmad Youssef, have called for a new elections law that guarantees opposition and other political parties' representation.
  • The current Elections Law, introduced in the mid-1990s, is seen as unbalanced and has led to the election of a Parliament dominated by former army generals, intelligence officers, and tribal leaders.
  • Opposition parties argue that the current law marginalizes political parties and has resulted in the election of a Parliament that does not represent the country's diverse sectors.
  • The recently dissolved Parliament, elected in 2007, included six MPs from the Islamist movement while other political parties failed to win a single seat.
  • Leaders from the Jordan Communist Party, Hashd Party, and Islamist Action Front have all expressed support for a new elections law that promotes proportional representation and fair representation.

Statistics:

  • The current Elections Law has been in place since the mid-1990s.
  • In the 2007 elections, the recently dissolved Parliament included six MPs from the Islamist movement.
  • No opposition party won a seat in the 110-member House of Parliament in the 2007 elections.
  • Approximately 70% of the Parliament's members in the 2007 election were former army generals, intelligence officers, or tribal leaders.
  • The Jordanian opposition has been calling for a new elections law that promotes proportional representation for years.

Sources:

  • The Jordan Times
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services