Parliament pledges to step up efforts to achieve envisioned reforms

AMMAN — The Parliament's Upper and Lower Houses on Sunday presented their replies to His Majesty King Abdullah's Speech from the Throne, stressing lawmakers’ willingness to cooperate with other stakeholders to achieve national goals. 

Delivering the Upper Chamber’s reply, Senate President Abdur-Ra'uf S. Rawabdeh said the King's speech came as a “genuine statement” that highlighted Jordan's key role in the regional and international arenas, while pinpointing the responsibilities of all Jordanians in building the future of the country, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He noted that although the path to overcome the challenges is "still long", Jordanians are "able to accelerate the process by moving ahead according to a clear vision, taking it step by step and building on every achievement made". 

Rawabdeh stressed the need to maintain the prudent, evolutionary approach to reform and examine every step taken, vowing full cooperation by the Senate to achieve the visions of King Abdullah for the future of Jordan.

Rawabdeh underlined the King’s efforts to bring prominence to the Palestinian issue everywhere, citing His Majesty’s endeavours in protecting the holy sites in Jerusalem.

Commenting on the King’s speech, Rawabdeh said that the Senate “agrees that the priority should be given to administrative reform”, stressing that the Upper House will also focus on the decentralisation and municipalities laws as vehicles of developing local administration and a way to broaden citizens’ participation in the decision-making process. 

In the Speech from the Throne, His Majesty underlined that decentralisation is a key reform milestone whose related laws are awaiting endorsement by Parliament, emphasising that local governance is a prerequisite to political reform’s endgame.   

“The political reform path also requires enrooting local governance by first completing the municipalities and decentralisation laws and then moving on to the Elections Law,” the Monarch said on November 2. 

On behalf of the House, Speaker Atef Tarawneh said the King’s speech diagnosed the internal situation with utter clarity, along with the current regional and international development. 

“The Lower House pledges to continue its mission to realise legislative achievements based on the Constitution and harness all its capabilities for the sake of the country and people,” he said.  

Tarawneh also underlined the Lower House’s commitment to embracing the freedom of expression and encouraging people’s constructive political participation. 

“This way, Jordanians will be able to combat all forms of terrorism and extremism for a better future and stable and safe life,” he noted.   

On the other hand, Tarawneh highlighted the House’s commitment to improving the National Employment Strategy, social security network and Governorates Development Fund to maximise its role in reducing poverty and unemployment.