King receives report of Royal Committee to Modernise Political System

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday reiterated that the democratic model Jordanians seek is an embodiment of the political will and national interest.

During a meeting at the Royal Hashemite Court with the chairperson and members of the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System, King Abdullah received the committee’s outcomes report.

His Majesty said the political system establishes for a new and critical phase in line with efforts to modernise the state in its second centennial, adding that political reform is being implemented in parallel to the government’s economic and administrative reforms, according to a Royal Court statement.

The committee, which His Majesty entrusted Samir Rifai with chairing in June, includes members from across the political and ideological spectrum, delivered a report that includes new draft laws for elections and political parties, and suggested constitutional amendments related to the two laws and parliamentary work.

In addition, the report included recommendations on advancing local administration laws, expanding participation in decision-making, and enhancing an enabling political and legislative environment for further engagement of women and youth in public life.

The King said the recommendations will be pivotal in implementing tangible advancement in platform-based partisan parliamentary work, stressing the need for an action plan for implementation and close follow-up on all levels.

His Majesty called on political parties to develop their tools to win over voters and to meet their aspirations in Parliament, noting that the political, economic, and social empowerment of youth and women is at the forefront of the modernisation process.

Moreover, the King called for developing channels that guarantee the engagement of all segments of society in public affairs, to ensure active and productive political participation, as well as developing accountability measures, read the statement.

On local administration, His Majesty said the desired goal is the devolving of power from the centre to the governorates to achieve comprehensive and sustainable local development and enhance popular participation.

The King emphasised that the outcomes of the modernisation system will go through the constitutional channels, so that the government would adopt the outcomes without any intervention, and submit them to Parliament.

His Majesty said the advancement and modernisation process is ongoing and continues to be evaluated to build on strengths and overcome emerging challenges.

The King commended the efforts of committee members in completing this national task.

For his part, Committee Chairperson Rifai said the panel built on previous efforts to advance political life in Jordan, and worked on a consensus-based approach.

The committee, he added, sought to bolster the values of citizenship, boost the freedoms and liberties guaranteed by the law, and adhere to the rule of law.

Rifai said the next step is now up to society, with all its components, so that political parties would embark on internal modernisation, with the goal of coming up with realistic platforms that meet public aspirations.

 Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Senate President Faisal Fayez, House of Representatives Speaker Abdul Monem Odar, Judicial Council President Mohammad Ghazou, Constitutional Court President Hisham Tal, Independent Election Commission Chief Commissioner Khaled Kalaldeh, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting, concluded the statement.