Friday, March 04, 2011

Jordan’s prime minister rejected opposition calls for stripping King Abdullah II of his powers and establishing a constitutional monarchy, Thursday, telling lawmakers that such a move would violate the constitution.
Marouf al-Bakhit spoke in Parliament, shortly before his government received 64-47 backing in a vote of confidence in the 120-seat assembly. Seven lawmakers abstained and two MPs were absent.

Jordanians have taken to the streets over the past two months to demand Abdullah relinquish some of his powers, including the right to appoint prime ministers. The powerful Islamic Action Front has been calling for a constitutional monarchy and a reformed electoral law, leading to a parliamentary government and elected prime minister.
“The constitution is clear and gives the king absolute powers,” Bakhit told Parliament. He also rebuffed demands for a transition to a constitutional monarchy, saying it would be “a violation of the constitution and bypasses political reforms.”

But Abdullah himself once put forward the idea of a constitutional monarchy. When he ascended to the throne in 1999, Abdullah said he envisioned such a system – similar to the British system – in Jordan in the future. There has been little public discussion of the idea since.

Bakhit, however, left the door open to some political reforms, saying the election of prime ministers could be gradually introduced once Jordan’s splintered political scene – there are currently 34 licensed parties – coalesces around two or three main parties that espouse clear political agendas.
Once that happens, the prime minister could come from a majority in the elected lower house of Parliament, Bakhit said.

The mandatory vote of confidence was just enough to install the Cabinet appointed by the king. But the slight margin reflects public dismay with Bakhit, whom Muslim opposition and other critics accuse of tampering with parliamentary elections during his previous 2005-2007 tenure.
Last month, Abdullah sacked the government of Samir Rifai and named Bakhit to head a government charged with introducing general reforms to face the popular discontent and protests.

In the latest steps to improve the throne’s image, King Abdullah named a prominent traditional politician as his new royal court chief, palace insiders said Wednesday.
Khalid Karaki, a former royal court adviser and a literary figure who headed state-run Jordan University, replaces Nasser Lozi, an liberal-leaning ex-minister with business credentials.

Karaki’s experience in tribal politics and engaging political groups is seen as an asset to the Western-educated monarch.
The court is in effect a secretariat to the king, who holds most executive power in Jordan. He appoints Cabinets, approves legislation and can dissolve Parliament.

Jordan’s 1952 constitution stipulates that the country’s system of government is “parliamentary with a hereditary monarchy.” The constitution says that the people are the “source of all powers,” but gives the king absolute authority to ratify laws, appoint Cabinets, dissolve Parliaments and rule by decree. It also confers immunity from all liabilities. – Agencies