Senate to examine draft amendments to Constitution 'with high sense of patriotism'

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Sunday stressed that the Senate will examine the draft amendments of 2021 to Constitution with “a high sense of patriotism”, in a manner that achieves the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah and the aspirations of the people.

Fayez's remarks came during a meeting with the Senate’s Legal Committee, discussing constitutional amendments, which were referred from the Lower House.

Fayez stressed that granting some powers to His Majesty the King in the constitutional amendments is a future vision, which guarantees that Jordan will remain strong, away from political and social disputes when forming partisan governments.

He called for working to strengthen the partisan culture, noting that "in most of our democratic practices, especially the parliamentary and municipal elections, the culture of regionalism dominates, and this matter, if it continues, would hinder our ambitions and limit our reform aspirations".

Chairperson of the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System Samir Rifai called for reading the amendments in full, as amending the Constitution is an integral part of the parties and election laws.

Senator Rajai Muasher said that the message of His Majesty addressed to the Royal Committee to modernise the political system indicated that the constitutional amendments "should embrace the idea of ​​partisan governments and the empowerment of women and youth".

The committee finished discussing 17 articles and approved them as received by the Lower House and it shall continue its discussions on the articles of the draft constitution amendment on Monday.