House to convene for extraordinary session Wednesday

AMMAN (JT) – A Royal Decree was issued on Monday summoning the Lower House to convene in an extraordinary session starting Wednesday to allow the Parliament to debate several key pieces of legislation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported yesterday.

In accordance with the decree, the Lower House will examine 20 laws, some deemed necessary to facilitate economic reform.

The House is also instructed, in accordance with the Royal Decree, to examine a report issued recently by the parliamentary investigative committee on the licensing of a casino that was supposed to be set up at the Dead Sea, besides proposed amendments to the Lower House statute.

Accordingly, deputies will be examining draft laws on the general pardon, the municipalities, investment, anti-trust, the press and publications as well as on higher education and scientific research.

Also, draft laws pertaining to the teachers association, landlords and tenants, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Penal Code are to be examined during the extraordinary session, in line with His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives.

In an earlier statement, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit said proposed legislation on parliamentary elections and political parties will not be on the extraordinary session’s agenda as these laws are not ready yet because they entail constitutional changes.

The House ordinary session completed its constitutional four-month term at the end of March and according to the Constitution, the King may, whenever necessary, summon the National Assembly to meet in an extraordinary session for an unspecified period.

jordantimes