Kingdom’s political reforms to strengthen democracy, empower youth - minister

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani affirmed on Sunday that Jordan's comprehensive modernisation plan includes ambitious political reforms aimed at enhancing democratic engagement and boosting youth participation.

Speaking at the Ministry of Government Communication during a meeting with participants in the Parliamentary Fellowship Programme, a key initiative of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development, Momani emphasised that political modernisation is a national priority and a cornerstone of the country's stability.

Highlighting the need for bold steps to reshape Jordan's political landscape, Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, noted that His Majesty King Abdullah had directed the formation of the Royal Committee for Modernisation, which includes a wide range of political representatives.

As the Kingdom enters its second centenary, Momani outlined Jordan's three-pronged modernisation strategy, which encompasses political, economic, and administrative reforms, each with clear objectives and implementation mechanisms.

Momani described the political modernisation efforts as among the most significant in Jordan’s history, with key reforms including the allocation of 41 parliamentary seats to political parties, the introduction of an electoral threshold to refine party representation and the reduction of the age of candidacy from 30 to 25.

The reforms also aim to increase women's political participation by requiring party lists to include a young candidate in the top five, a woman in the top three, and another woman in the top six positions, he added.

Momani also commended the Parliamentary Fellowship Programme for providing young participants with leadership skills and enhancing their understanding of the political process. He pointed out that Jordan has moved closer to the centre of the international political and democratic growth index, citing the Kingdom's openness to political, electoral, and party system reforms. 

He also emphasised that the success of these reforms hinges on ongoing monitoring and adjustments to address challenges and ensure effective implementation.

On media literacy, Momani praised Jordan’s efforts in educating young people on how to distinguish between reliable and misleading information. He encouraged greater youth involvement in media literacy initiatives, highlighting their vital role in promoting informed political discourse.

Momani also underscored Jordan’s Cybercrime Law, asserting that it does not restrict freedom of expression, provided individuals respect legal boundaries and avoid engaging in hate speech.

Director of the Parliamentary Fellowship Programme at the King Abdullah II Fund for Development Rama Rawash described the initiative as a direct response to His Majesty’s vision for youth empowerment. 

The programme, run in partnership with the Lower House of Parliament, provides young participants with hands-on experience in legislative work by assigning them as research assistants to Members of Parliament. 

Participants conduct legislative research, analyse proposed legislation, and provide policy insights to legislators. The programme also organises workshops and dialogues between participants and government institutions to familiarise them with public sector operations and decision-making processes.