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Government reshuffles ‘must be based on national interests and a strategic vision’

Jan 22,2017 - Last updated at Jan 22,2017

Jordan is well known for government changes and reshuffles. During the Cabinet of previous prime minister Abdullah Ensour, which held office for more than three years, over 70 ministers were on his team during that time.

The current prime minister, Hani Mulki, continues the trend; he announced his second reshuffle after less than seven months in office.

I believe that the main challenge for Jordan is economic reforms, addressing the serious issues in the economy, yet very little has been achieved in this field.

Jordan also faces very serious problems with radicalisation, general security and coordination of the bureaucracy, domestically, while in foreign policy, there is the challenge of restoring relations with neighbouring countries, including Syria and Iraq, as well as reconnecting with regional players like Iran and Turkey.

Without a clear strategy and professional operators to implement it, these issues will never be addressed.

The failure to make concrete progress in addressing the economy or de-radicalisation is in part driven by the lack of stability in key ministries like culture, higher education and youth.

Without stability and progress in tackling key issues, this government is likely to be another one that treads water and achieves nothing.

Many observers believe that Mulki, much like many of his predecessors, is not a leader or a team player. 

Any reshuffle must be based on national interests and a strategic vision for addressing the key issues facing the country.

Whatever the reasons for the reshuffle, this kind of power politics will always have a negative impact on both citizens and state.

It adds tension to the already difficult political climate and gives the impression that the government is outdated and unable to address the concerns of the Jordanian public.

What Jordan needs today is a government that can bring tangible changes to the lives of the people at all levels, including service delivery and economic reform, and inform of its policies and achievements.

In the absence of that, there is the risk of disillusionment among Jordanians who are likely to consider that change is impossible, that attempts to change are futile. 

The most serious problem is the continued erosion of confidence that current or future governments are capable of addressing internal or regional challenges.

Unfortunately, the reshuffle does not seem to have changed anything as far as government policy is concerned. 

It is unlikely to last if the economic situation does not change and the impact of regional terrorism continues to make itself felt.

The most likely outcome is continued change and instability with no real outcome for the people or the country.

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