King urges healthy gov’t-House partnership

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday urged the government and the Lower House to fully cooperate and build an integrated and positive relationship between the two branches.

He said that such a relationship should be governed by the Constitution, which draws a clear line between the mandate of each power, with the government having the jurisdiction over public affairs and the House the authority to enact legislation and oversee the performance of the executive branch, according to a Royal Court statement. 

His Majesty made his remarks at a meeting with heads of Lower House blocs, attended by Prime Minister Hani Mulki and House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, at Al Husseiniya Palace.

The King said that sound cooperation between the government and the House is likely to lead to a better economic situation nationwide and minimise the burdens shouldered by people.  

To achieve this goal, he said, the two authorities should share responsibility and focus on economic priorities. 

King Abdullah highlighted the importance of improving the legislative process, urging teamwork to address the woes of national economy and, in the context of this pursuit, placing national interests above all other interests, especially in the fight against poverty and unemployment, which the Monarch described as the key challenges facing the Kingdom. 

During the meeting, the King said that no individuals or parties would be allowed to hinder progress forward.

On domestic security, he said he was comfortable with the internal security conditions. 

The meeting also focused on regional developments, the recent visits of King Abdullah to the US and Russia, the upcoming Arab summit, the Palestinian cause, the Syrian crisis and the national reconciliation in Iraq. 

Regarding the Palestinian cause, the King said that any move to revive Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations should be based on the two-state solution. 

For his part, Mulki voiced the government’s willingness to fully coordinate and cooperate with the House and to rise to address the present challenges and achieve progress in economic reforms. 

For his part, Tarawneh highlighted the mutually supportive and resilient relationship between the Chamber and the government, underlining that they both agree that the financial and economic reform programme will not affect the poor and middle-class segments.

The House blocs’ presidents commended the work of the Monarch in international platforms to defend Arab causes and reach political solutions to the crises in the region. 

The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan.