Coordination on major decisions

The Lower House speaker and scores of deputies made a valid point when they said a few days ago that the government must make it a point to consult with Parliament before taking major decisions affecting the public.

The remarks came in the wake of the government’s decision to raise prices of gas cylinders and car licences.

The ideal situation is to have the three branches of government stay in tune with one another, especially when it comes to matters affecting the lives of citizens. 

His Majesty King Abdullah has repeatedly called for full cooperation and coordination between the three branches of government as a sure way to strengthen the democratic process in the country.

Raising Jordanians’ living standards and combating poverty and unemployment are matters of utmost importance and any decision to hike fees or taxes must be adopted with maximum constraint and after much deliberation among all stakeholders. 

Consultations between the executive branch of government and the legislature are particularly critical in these trying and turbulent times in the region. 

Maximum effort must be made to avoid alienating the public or driving a wedge between the government and the masses. 

It behoves the government, therefore, to keep Parliament abreast of all far-reaching decisions and maintain open lines of communication with it on critical fronts. 

This is what most democracies do and Jordan should be no exception. 

It is never too late to improve relations between the branches of government and put them on solid ground in order to avoid a damaging crisis.