Will the government survive?

Parliamentarians who came up with “mubadara” (initiative) just warned that they would turn their back on the government unless it gives in to their conceptions and platform on a plethora of issues.

Such threat should be taken seriously because Abdullah Ensour’s government managed to survive all key battles in parliament due to the pro-government stance of key members of the mubadara.

Ensour has exploited these parliamentarians’ quest for partnership with the government to outmanoeuvre his critics in parliament. He took advantage of the personal dislike among members of parliament to secure his position. 

Critics of the parliamentary initiative argue that its initiators are a mishmash of ideologies and they do not constitute a bloc in parliament. Moreover, some of the ideas they support are sensitive and only meant to gain attention and popularity for next elections, they say, but do not offer counterproposals.

Casting aside the controversy over the parliamentary initiative, one should examine the political indications of its recent warning.

Some observers insist that the initiative members are independent and their most recent move has to do with their frustration with the government’s procrastination and even deception.

The coordinator of the initiative said that the government failed to commit itself to understandings it reached with the members of the mubadara. As such, he threatened that they would nominate another prime minister in weeks to come.

Although Ensour’s government is not going to underestimate the seriousness of this threat, it seems that the prime minister thinks differently.

The decision to change the prime minister is definitely not in the hands of a number of parliament members. Hiring and firing prime ministers is solely the King’s constitutional prerogative. Thus far, the King is supportive of his government. 

Therefore, whether right or wrong, the prime minister is most likely to continue to implement his platform.

This is not to say that the government should rest assured. 

The public is still not happy with the general economic situation in the country. All indictors show that more Jordanians believe the country is not on the right track.

Moreover, the parliament is not widely seen as part of the solution. Many people criticise the parliament as being ineffective. 

The government may survive until autumn. The King wants a government to stay in power enough time to rule effectively and efficiently. 

Changing governments fast can only lead to political instability in a country where activists do not agree on one vision for reform.

I believe that the problem is not only in the government’s performance, but also in the absence of a balance between parliament and government.

The solution lies in enacting a more inclusive and representative electoral law, dissolving parliament and calling for early elections.

[email protected]