Jordanians divided over recent constitutional amendments — CSS poll

AMMAN — One-third of Jordanians think that the Kingdom is on the right track and 62 per cent think otherwise, a survey published on Monday shows.

The poll — which focused on the general conditions, constitutional amendments and government procedures, and which was conducted by the University of Jordan’s Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) — shows that unemployment, poor economic conditions and increasing poverty are the main concerns for Jordanians, followed by price hikes and the health conditions related to the pandemic.

Unstable regional circumstances and external pressures are Jordan’s top political problems, the survey shows, according to a CSS statement.

Almost 20 per cent of Jordanians said that they have looked at the Constitution or some of its items, while 80 per cent have never seen the Constitution.

Only 22 per cent of those surveyed knew about the constitutional amendments recommended by the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System.

Also, 51 per cent of those who knew about the amendments (of the 22 per cent) had little knowledge of the constitutional items, 31 per cent had medium knowledge and 15 per cent knew nothing about these items, but had heard about them.

Almost 36 per cent of Jordanians who checked on the constitutional amendments are satisfied with them, and 33 per cent believe that they will lead to “tangible” progress in the Kingdom’s political life. 

Nearly 67 per cent of those surveyed think that the amendments will not play a significant role in developing the political life in Jordan. 

Additionally, 14 per cent of Jordanians think that amendments related to youth empowerment are the best amendments, followed by the amendments related to women empowerment with 13 per cent, the Lower House amendments with 6 per cent, and the Cabinet amendments with 4 per cent.

Only 14 per cent of Jordanians knew about the forming of the National Security Council, where 56 per cent of them (of the 14 per cent) approve its formation.

The percentage of those who followed up on all the Lower House deliberations over the constitutional amendments did not exceed 1 per cent, 67 per cent of Jordanian did not follow these deliberations and 32 per cent followed up on some.

A total of 44 per cent of Jordanians think that the constitutional amendments will not lead to political reforms, while 41 per cent of Jordanians think that the new political parties will lead the next stage of political life. 

Only 15 per cent of the Jordanians surveyed had heard about the government procedures and decisions concerned with economic reforms, which were announced on January 9, where 38 per cent of those who are familiar with these decisions think that these decisions will contribute to improving the living conditions of citizens.

Also, 45 per cent of Jordanians think that amending customs tariffs and reducing categories from 11 to 4 will enhance the purchasing power in the local market.

Almost half of Jordanians (48 per cent) think that the government’s allocation of JD80 million of the 2022 General Budget to stimulate the private sector and employment will enable the private sector to achieve growth and boost its competitiveness.

A majority of 57 per cent of Jordanians think that Himaya and Estidama programmes, launched by the Social Security Corporation, contributed to protecting the labour market and workers in 2021.