Keeping the army out of the political game

The government’s decision on Wednesday to request introducing two amendments to the Constitution raised question marks as to the reasons and the timing.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour explained that these proposed amendments pertaining to the Jordan Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence and the Independent Elections Commission are intended to enhance political reforms in the country.

The amendments were requested in response to a letter by His Majesty King Abdullah instructing the government to activate the Ministry of Defence and expand the jurisdiction of the Independent Elections Commission to encompass other national elections.

Based on the Royal letter, the government requested the constitutional amendments, to be debated by Parliament in an extraordinary session to convene as of Sunday.

One of the proposed amendments gives the authority of appointing the army chief and the head of the General Intelligence Department solely to the King without the need for a nomination by the prime minister, as is the case in the current Constitution.

Critics say such a practice is undemocratic and deprives the executive authority of some of its powers.

For the prime minister, this particular step is intended to give a strong boost to the democratic process. He told media representatives that the aim is to keep the army away from politics in the coming stages when the country is about to have parliamentary governments. These governments, he explained, might be headed by people from different political backgrounds and represent various political parties, be they centrist, leftist or Islamist, and as the political process evolves, lessons are to be drawn before settling down on the best formula that serves the Kingdom and the interests of its people. 

Certainly any such changes should not have an influence on the army, which should stay out of the political game: It should not interfere in politics nor have politicians interfere in its affairs.

To the contrary, the army’s neutrality will enable it to protect democracy and ensure the proper atmosphere for the political process as it safeguards the country’s stability and security as well as the safety of its people and inhabitants.

Once the democratic process matures and takes roots in the future with the evolution of political life this can change with the will of the Jordanian people and their representatives.

This government’s argument is convincing, particularly as many people around the country fear that having one sort of a government or another might lead to irreversible changes, and as they see turmoil in other countries of the region.

Now these amendments will be in the hands of people’s representatives during the extraordinary parliamentary session which starts on Sunday.

Surely these parliamentarians are keen to push political reforms forward and to have parliamentary governments by removing any fears in the hearts of people about democratic changes.

Certainly they will decide what is best for Jordan and its people.