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Reinforced stability via change

Oct 04,2016 - Last updated at Oct 04,2016

Major changes have taken place in Jordan over the last two weeks. 

A new parliament was successfully and quite smoothly elected at the end of September. As it neared the completion of its four-year-term, the dissolution of the 17th House of Representatives at the end of May, paved the way for elections, which were held this time in accordance with the new Elections Law.

Although the new law requires a reduction in the number of seats in the Lower House from 150 to 130, it guarantees wider national representation by addressing some controversial articles in the previous legislation.

Many international observers were invited to monitor the elections. All testified that the process went well with no notable flaws. 

Naturally, there were complaints of minor violations, but they were all referred to the Independent Election Commission to investigate and to duly address. The commission did a superb job.

A Royal Decree also promulgated a new Senate, the Upper House in the Jordanian bi-cameral system, last week. Because it is unconstitutional for the number of Senate members to exceed half the number of members of the Lower House, the new Senate now counts 65 members, ten fewer than in the previous Upper House.

Prime Minister Hani Mulki, whose government was assigned the specific task of organising the elections, also had to resign.

Since his ascension to the throne 17 years ago, King Abdullah’s ambitious reform strategy has been to establish solid grounds for parliamentary governments where the political party that wins the majority of seats in general elections would automatically head the executive authority for the entire life of that parliament.

However, as we do not have strong political parties yet, which means the process may have to mature gradually, we have to establish the necessary framework for a strong parliamentary tradition.

Mulki, designated to head a new post-election administration, does not represent a leading bloc in the new parliament, but he will have to present his Cabinet to the House seeking its confidence on the basis of his detailed political programme.

At the same time, three judges at the Constitutional Court will replace those whose term has ended.

Thus, with a new Parliament, a new government and a new Senate, and with the partial Constitutional Court membership change, the major Jordanian constitutional institutions are renewing themselves, introducing a new generation of leaders with fresh energy and new ideas to sustain the process, particularly significant at such trying times and in the face of daunting challenges at the heart of a turbulent region.

It is this Hashemite leadership, determination and vision that guaranteed continued political stability and safe navigation across troubled regional waters all along.

Once orderly and within the perimeters of solid institutionalised democratic practices, change becomes an essential prerequisite for enhanced communal solidarity and progress. 

In the run up to the elections, during the summer months, hesitant voices urged the postponement of elections on the grounds that regional circumstances were unsuitable and would reflect adversely on the domestic scene.

However, in the face of the King’s resolve, the prompt and timely implementation of constitutional requirements was non-negotiable; challenges should be confronted with fortitude and firmness, rather than allow them to dictate fear, and the process of political and democratic reform should surge without any procrastination.

Jordan should be proud of the major progress it has made on the course of reform and political development despite serious difficulties and, indeed, troubling regional uncertainties.

There is no question that action under such circumstances involved risks. 

But Jordan has always been surrounded by challenges and difficulties.

Without taking risks, without navigating fearlessly in troubled waters and without confronting rather than ducking dangers, we would have been decades behind.

 

That has never been our course.

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