Bakhit government wins Lower House confidence

By Raed Omari

AMMAN – The government of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Thursday narrowly won Parliament’s vote of confidence motion, gaining around 54 per cent of the total number of deputies present.

Of 117 deputies present at yesterday’s session, 63 MPs voted for the government and 47 against, seven abstained and two were absent, in contrast with the massive win recorded by the government of his predecessor, Samir Rifai, for whom 111 deputies voted “yea”.

For two days, 80 deputies took the podium to comment on the government’s policy statement on the basis of which the government requested House confidence.

During the deliberations, several MPs, including veteran lawmakers, criticised the government and its action plan, with some arguing that Bakhit, whose previous Cabinet is stigmatised with corruption and manipulation of parliamentary and municipal elections, “is not the right person for this critical stage”, while others noted that the action plan is “loose, too general and not well detailed” and cannot address the current difficult situation.

However, other deputies argued that the government’s action plan is “promising and of several illuminating aspects”, explaining that its focus on the achievement of political reform – the most needed matter – makes it the proper answer to today’s challenges.

Addressing the House ahead of the vote, Bakhit said that “deputies’ remarks reflected a strong will to bring about the envisioned reform”.

Bakhit reiterated his government’s keenness on establishing a “genuine” partnership with the Lower House, based on full coordination and cooperation, pledging to facilitate the House’s monitoring and legislative role.

Stressing that his government is committed to implement the political, economic and administrative reform programmes outlined in the Letter of Designation, the premier said that the sought-after reform cannot be achieved except through a nationwide dialogue involving all segments of society to reach at an “agreed upon formula” with substantial contribution from lawmakers.

“The government, dealing with all at an equal footing, calls on all parties to resort to dialogue instead of protests to address the current challenges,” Bakhit said, adding that “the government does not mean to curb public freedoms but rather to boost the country’s security and stability”.

Responding to remarks by some deputies calling for constitutional amendments, including giving the Parliament a role in forming Cabinets and establishing a constitutional court, Bakhit said: “The government understands the demands of those who call for readopting the 1952 Constitution and establishing a constitutional court, but we believe that empowering the political parties is a prerequisite to reform and democracy.”

The premier also explained that the government will adopt economic programmes that seek to “address loopholes and build upon what has been achieved” through distributing development gains evenly, supporting the private sector and creating job opportunities.

On plans to solve unemployment, Bakhit said: “The government will create 21,000 job opportunities this year, 6,000 of which will be in the Public Security and Gendarmerie departments in implementation of His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives.” He added that “these job openings will add no burdens on the state budget”.

He also said that the government will increase the number of beneficiaries from the National Aid Fund to reach 500,000 with a 5 per cent increase from 2010 and will allocate JD40 million to implement projects in the dozens of “poverty pockets”, the term used to refer to the poorest areas all over the Kingdom.

“There will be no increase of electricity and water fees on low- and medium-income families and the government is committed to maintaining its subsidy over the gas cylinder for household purposes,” he said.

Bakhit noted that the government turned to the social economic policies to protect citizens from market manipulation of food prices, saying that the government will respond “immediately and firmly” to curb unjustified hikes in prices of basic commodities via the Supplies and Monitoring Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

On corruption, the premier noted that combating the phenomenon is a top priority, adding that the government, through a well-defined approach, will make sure that justice is served and public money is protected.

“The government will provide the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with qualified personnel to help it carry out its duties with professionalism,” he said.

He also explained that the government is committed to ensuring House access to cases seen by the ACC, so that lawmakers will work to lift immunity enjoyed by figures who might be involved in corruption.

To address public finance problems, Bakhit said the government is mulling merging state independent agencies that have common missions to slash public spending.

Bakhit also explained that the government will draft a new landlords and tenants law that safeguards the social cohesion and rights of properties’ owners.

The agriculture sector was also highlighted by the premier who explained that, out of a belief in the importance of the sector in the economic growth and food security, the government will work on boosting the contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product and will allocate JD30 million to support small farmers.

Responding to deputies who called for abolition the Municipalities Law, the premier said that the government will conduct a review of the decade-old municipality mergers and will refer its results to the Parliament by the end of March.

He also explained that the government will solve the issue of state-owned lands (wajihat) claimed by tribes and will return them to those who provide documents that prove ownership.

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