New coalitions expected under the Dome — MPs

AMMAN — House is expected to witness next week the birth of two new coalitions that some lawmakers see as a response to a platform-based bloc, dubbed Mubadara, which has gained ground by formulating solid policies addressing key concerns of Jordanians.

The deputies said that Mubadara, founded and led by MP Mustafa Hamarneh, has served as a trendsetter after it went into talks with the executive authority and “succeeded in making a difference”.

Deputy Adnan Ajarmeh, who used to be a member of Mubadara, plans to announce a new 25-strong bloc based on platforms.

The other coalition comprises the Watan (Homeland), Islamic Centrist and the National Union blocs, which will join forces to strengthen their position under the Dome, with 50 members that constitute a third of the House, a member of the new group said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The difference between these two coalitions, according to another parliamentary source who is familiar with the developments, is that the second is based on blocs, while the first does really not recognise blocs as the base for building successful alliances.

“Our coalition will submit a national plan different from the government’s agenda,” Ajarmeh said, ruling out claims that he seeks to create this coalition to counter Mubadara.

“We will have programmes that can be perceived as an alternative to the government’s plans,” he said.

Hamarneh, who holds the title of Mubadara’s general coordinator, rejected the assumption that his bloc’s policies are 100 per cent compatible with the government’s.

He explained: “We support the government as long as it implements our agreed-upon policies and strategies.”

If the plans for the new coalitions materialise, the House will have three major lobbying groups. Currently there are nine blocs, but some of their members have joined Mubadara or Ajarmeh’s initiative. 

The Mubadara team posed as a shadow government with a clear platform to address key national issues.

It takes credit for lobbying for a government decision to grant husbands and children of Jordanian women married to non-Jordanians civil rights, including access to public services such as health, education and driving licences, in addition to the right to work without going through the hassle of obtaining work permits.

Mubadara has also prepared a plan to revive the education system, with a promise to trigger a transformation process that will take the quality of education to the next level.

Next week, a Mubadara member said, the bloc will announce new policy papers on tourism and other sectors after engaging in a dialogue with concerned partners from both the public and private sectors in addition to civil society organisations.