AMMAN // Jordan's king inaugurated the country's newly elected parliament yesterday with a pledge to press ahead with democratisation.
But he said he would help to choose the next prime minister, despite the choice having been formally given to the legislature.
King Abdullah II had touted the election on January 23 as a "milestone" in the reforms he initiated two years ago to forestall large-scale Arab-Spring unrest of the kind that has toppled four of his peers since 2010.
He recently suggested the new legislature would have more powers to run the daily affairs of state and monitor the cabinet as the monarchy takes a step back, giving the people a wider say in politics.
It was also supposed to choose the prime minister, a job previously appointed by the monarch. But the election was boycotted by the main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, resulting in a parliament dominated by inexperienced independents.
The king told the politicians Jordan was going through a "decisive transitional period" that will start with legislators electing a prime minister under palace supervision, at least until the fragmented and nascent political parties mature and are able to compete on ideological basis in future elections.
A government official said that the king wants to avoid "political chaos" as novice politicians make key decisions.
The Brotherhood had demanded a change to the election law, which they said favoured locally based independents over ideological blocs. The king has said he will revisit the election law.
The king dissolved the old legislature last year, halfway through a four-year term, amid complaints that its mainly conservative tribal lawmakers were too docile.
After the elections, the last royal-appointed prime minister, Abdullah Ensour, resigned but the king asked him to stay on until a new prime minister was elected. Deputies said consultation over the picking a premier will start this week.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets