New party funding system ‘encourages’ political participation — Maaytah

AMMAN — The new political party funding system “encourages” parties, and notably youth and women, to take part in elections, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah said on Monday.

During a meeting with the coalition of centrist parties, Maaytah stressed that the ministry “does not interfere” in the activities and funding of the parties, “except through the new political party financing system”, which was published in the Official Gazette.

“A party’s strength is measured through its popular support, which is reflected through the votes it gained,” the minister said.

Nathir Arabiyat, head of the coalition, said that the alliance since 2017 has achieved the conditions for collective action, noting that it implements its programmes in adherence to laws and budget that go with the national interest, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also lauded the ministry’s “clear” interest in the partisan work, in implementation of His Majesty King Abdullah’s fifth Royal Discussion Paper, on creating three political currents to achieve fully-fledged partisan work capable of forming parliamentary governments.

He noted that 23 parties have adopted this position.