#JORDAN: Attempted Coup Was Likely Just Family Squabble, Misunderstanding

[world politics news]

The coup attempt in Jordan this past weekend may well have been simply a family dispute and a series of misunderstandings between the king and his half-brother.  

Mediation between Jordan’s King Abdullah II and his outspoken half brother, Prince Hamzah, successfully de-escalated one of the most serious political crises in the kingdom in decades, the palace and a confidant of the prince said.

The apparent resolution of the unprecedented public feud capped a weekend of palace drama during which the king had placed Hamzah under house arrest for allegedly plotting with foreign supporters to destabilize Jordan, a key Western ally.

On Wednesday, the king issued a statement saying, in part, "Prince Hamzah pledged before the family to follow in the steps of the ancestors, remain loyal to their mission, and to put Jordan’s interest, Constitution, and laws above all considerations." 

He also said an investigation into other aspects of the would-be insurrection have been launched.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#JORDAN: Senate Pres. Fayez Rejects Idea Of Parliament Appointing Civil Servants

[world politics news]

Senate President Faisal Fayez on Sunday affirmed his “absolute” rejection of giving the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament the authority to appoint employees outside the scope of the Civil Service Bureau.

Fayez said that enhancing the values ​​of transparency, fairness, integrity and competitiveness on a government level requires giving the CSB the responsibility of appointing people to positions in the various ministries and governmental institutions according to “clear and transparent standards”.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: King Abdullah II Responds To Public Pressure, Cancels Treaty Deal On Israeli-Leased Jordanian Lands

[world politics news]

Jordan’s King Abdullah II says Jordan will not renew parts of the country’s 24-year-old peace agreement with Israel, amid public pressure to rebuke the Israeli government following the U.S. Embassy’s move to Jerusalem and ongoing violence in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, says he will try to work with Jordan to negotiate a renewal of the leased areas. The deal was reached in November 1994 between Abdullah’s father, King Hussein, and then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Mass demonstrations have been held in Jordan to urge the king not to renew the leases, and his decision was reportedly met with celebrations. The Islamic Action Front Party, the largest opposition party, praised the King’s decision, saying it was a response to the public will.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Town Hall "Charm Offensive" Backfires As Anger Over Income Tax Law Proposal Boils Over

[world politics news]

Controversial plans to reform the national income tax brought down the last government three months ago, and it's still a "tough sell" to the public, government officials are finding. In Town Hall meetings, government ministers have met tough questions, ridicule, frustration and all-out anger from citizens. Citizens raged at one town hall that they should not "pay the price" of officials' mismanagement of the nation's debt. Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said, "it is not easy to sell the law to the public" when he unveiled the draft law, which the government hopes will cut the nation's high debt level. Some citizens are angered that, in coming years, the draft law severely lowers the income level at which residents are exempt from taxation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: New PM Appointed As Mass Anti-Tax Bill Revolt Continues

[world politics news]

Jordan's King Abdullah II has formally appointed Omar al-Razzaz as the country's prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government. The appointment comes after King Abdullah II accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki, in a bid to defuse anger amid mass protests over price increases and an income tax bill that would see taxes rising by at least 5 percent.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JORDAN: Election Reforms Prompt King To Dissolve Parliament Ahead Of Nov. Election

[world politics news]

In accordance with the terms of a passage of a new election law, King Abdullah has dissolved parliament and has appointed a new prime minister, Hani al-Mulqi to oversee elections. Under the new bill, Jordan has done away with single-member districts, with elections now based on a large voting system, in which candidates will run for seats on one, multi-member ticket.

#JORDAN: House Amends Bill to Avoid Labeling Hamas a "Terrorist" Organization

[world politics news]

#JORDAN: Women Stage Walk-Out After MP Told to "Sit Down" By Parliamentarian

[world politics news]

The demand that a female member of parliament "sit down" while speaking in parliament and for female parliamentarians to 'go home to your husbands" sparked at walk-out by female MPs. Hind al-Fayez, one of Jordan's few female MPs, was verbally attacked by controversial Muslim Brotherhood-allied MP Abdul Majid Aqtash.