[Download] "Jordanians Seek More Than What is Offered (Constitution)" by The Weekly Middle East Reporter (Beirut, Lebanon) # Book PDF Kindle ePub Free

eBook details

Title: Jordanians Seek More Than What is Offered (Constitution)
Author : The Weekly Middle East Reporter (Beirut, Lebanon)
Release Date : January 27, 2011
Genre: Reference,Books,
Pages : * pages
Size : 68 KB

Description

Jordan's population believes in King Abdullah II's political reforms drive but wants the process to lead to tangible results, contrary to earlier experiences whereby reform was no more than ink on paper, a former foreign minister of the kingdom wrote in the Beirut-based influential daily AN NAHAR Aug. 23. "A recent visit to Jordan left me convinced that the population, with all its ethnic and social classes and their various political and economic aspirations, strongly supports the monarch leading that process. But they do expect the process to be more serious and lead to concrete results," Marwan Muasher said in the newspaper's op-ed page. "The king seems well aware of the challenge, even as he recognizes that he must counter the many forces actively working against change and for the preservation of the status quo -- forces that often come from within the political elite and traditional constituency of the regime," added Muasher, who served as Jordan's foreign minister between January 2002 and October 2004. Abdullah welcomed proposed constitutional amendments, but critics criticized the changes as insufficient. The 42 proposed changes to the nearly 60-year-old constitution would still allow Abdullah to retain most of his absolute powers, according to a 15-page document distributed by the royal palace. Protesters have demonstrated in Jordan for seven months to press the government to expand parliament's powers. Jordanians are also demanding lower food prices, a greater say in politics, an end to government corruption and the election of a prime minister. The recommended changes do not address protesters' demands to elect a prime minister, instead keeping the appointment of the post solely with the king. But a senior government official told Reuters on Aug. 14 a separate document addressing the prime minister's appointment would be up for discussion at a later unspecified date.