Apr 25 2013
Birth pains of democratic politics
The following appeared in Jordan times
By Daoud Kuttab
After months of consultations a new/old government has finally received the vote of confidence.
The 82 for, 66 against vote from Parliament gives Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour’s second government the confidence to carry out its programme, which includes removing subsidies on electricity tariffs and dealing with the explosive Syrian file.
However, the most important reform issue, the Elections Law, has failed to garner much interest in the new Parliament’s first months, which clearly indicates that we will not see a new law during this Parliament’s term.
One more immediate question, however, is whether parliamentarians will be able to hold Cabinet posts. The issue was deferred during the discussions Ensour held with MPs, despite the premier’s public promises that parliamentarians will become ministers within this year. Continue Reading »