Political pundits discuss country’s internal affairs

DEAD SEA — The Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) at the University of Jordan on Thursday launched the “Jordan Agenda Conference 2018” three-day event at the Dead Sea under the theme “Policies for Self-Reliance”. 

The first session focused on domestic politics, inviting pundits from different fields to discuss the country’s current political situation. 

Former MP Abla Abu Elbeh, who is the secretary general of the Hashed Party, said that one cannot discuss domestic politics without factoring in foreign decisions that impact the country internally. 

“America’s decision on Jerusalem, the refugee crisis and the situation in Syria and Iraq each play a part in affecting policies domestically,” Elbeh said in her introductory speech. 

Various analyses were brought forward by experts on international decisions related to Jordan, while some members called for more self-reliance.

“Why are we always relying on foreign powers to fix our problems?” asked one member. 

“For Jordan to achieve self-reliance, local communities need to come together and act together,” said Secretary General of the National Congress Party [ZamZam] Erheel Gharaibeh. 

Musa Maaytah, minister of Political Development and Parliamentary Affairs, echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Parties in the previous years had great difficulty in unifying — even for one law — and this needs to change.”

The panel then focused on political engagement, elections, youth involvement and unemployment.

“As a young person, how can I choose a party that will benefit me?” asked panelist Mohammad Zawahra, a political activist advocating for youth in Jordan.

“There are lots groups and committees gathered specifically for youth but, when you look closely, you’ll see it’s only done for the show, and, ultimately, nothing is implemented,” Zawahra added.

He urged for more youth to be educated at an early stage about the political procedures in Jordan, and for political parties to attract and involve youth from different geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

The subject of reforms and expectations from the government was discussed extensively throughout the session, although the speakers acknowledged that simply outlining the problems without providing tangible solutions is “not enough”.

MP Jamil Al Nimri listed some of the steps required in order to achieve reform. 

“We need to apply decentralisation, among the governorate councils and the executive councils, we need to change the financing of the parties and start linking public funds to each party’s performance. We need to make changes in our election law and encourage more parties to participate in the elections,” Nimri told The Jordan Times at the event. 

He stressed that these recommendations will have a better chance of becoming realised if a “civil monitoring group” is put into place to oversee the budget and the implementation of government plans towards change.