King meets stakeholders over next steps in reform plan

AMMAN (JT) – His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday continued meetings with stakeholders over the next steps to be taken to realise reform.

He met separately with a group of lawmakers and the head and members of the permanent office of the National Dialogue Committee (NDC), which produced a set of recommendations to change the elections and political parties laws.

His meeting with members of the Lower House is the second in two days, as the country is heading into a new stage that is expected to see drastic changes in parliamentary elections and partisan action.

During the meeting with Lower House Speaker Faisal Fayez and chairmen of House committees, King Abdullah stressed that dialogue and diligent work are the essential ingredients to move forward in the process of reform and development, according to a Royal Court statement.

The Monarch stressed the important role of the Lower House in the next phase, particularly in relation to finalising the elections and political parties laws when they are drafted by the government, in line with NDC recommendations and those expected to be made by the Royal committee tasked with revisiting the Constitution. King Abdullah underlined the importance of having “strong” and “effective” parties with wide popular bases and clear political, economic and social programmes, which enable them to secure representation in the Lower House and, subsequently, take part in the decision-making process to meet the aspirations of the Jordanian people.

The Lower House deputies reiterated their support for the King’s reform vision, stressing that they would work during the next phase to endorse laws governing political life to achieve the aspirations of all Jordanians.

Discussions also covered several issues and projects that could be implemented across the Kingdom to create job opportunities and combat unemployment.

During a meeting with Senate President Taher Masri, who heads the NDC, and members of the committee’s permanent office, the King reiterated the importance of respecting the recommendations of the committee as a starting point to achieve the envisioned reforms.

The King voiced appreciation for the efforts exerted by the committee over the elections and political parties laws, which would develop political life in the Kingdom and activate people’s participation in the decision-making process.

jordantimes