Royal Committee to Modernise Political System to submit proposals before October 1 — Rifai

AMMAN — Chairperson of the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System Samir Rifai said the committee began working on applying what came in the Royal message and its application for the development and modernisation of Jordan in its second centennial.

Rifai, who was speaking at a press conference that was held at the Royal Cultural Centre, said the committee will submit its recommendations before October 1.

“Our responsibility today is to draw up consensual draft laws that would guarantee the gradual transition towards achieving full future goals, which would ultimately serve citizens today and in the future,” Rifai told reporters.

The committee’s efforts, Rifai maintained, are focused through the six sub-committees, which will provide outputs that would contribute to the continuation of the development and modernisation process.

“We want to ensure the right of Jordanians to practise parliamentary and political parties’ life that would advance their democracy and their lives,” Rifai stressed.

At the same time, Rifai added, the committee will focus its attention on increasing women’s political participation, including in parliament, and ensure more youth involvement in the decision-making process and parties.

“The political parties are sort of weak, so the idea is to strengthen their role and at the same time ensure that women and the youth’s role and involvement is visible and effective,” Rifai stated.

He pointed out the diversity of the committee members, which reflects the rich ideological and cultural components of Jordanian society.

 “We will not hesitate to seek the guidance of Jordanian expertise, especially past recommendations by researchers, experts, and respected national figures in this field,” Rifai said, calling on those who have ideas and suggestions that could serve this national effort to bring them forward to any of the committee members for consideration.

“We will launch a website soon and this social media outlet belongs to all Jordanians and they will have the opportunities to share their point of view and recommendations,” Rifai added.

Rifai, a former prime minister, added that the committee members “clearly realise that they are facing a historical moment towards the nation and its citizens”.   

“The King’s guarantee to Jordanians that the committee’s output will be adopted and submitted to Parliament without interference or influence,” Rifai added.    

Earlier this month, King Abdullah reaffirmed during a meeting with the committee members that Jordan’s reform process, which is an ongoing effort over the history of the state, will continue in its second centennial.

During the meeting that was attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah said that the process of advancing the efforts of the ancestors will continue, with Prince Hussein at his side, to forge ahead on the course of modernisation and development, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty underscored the magnitude of the committee’s responsibility and noted the vast experience of its members who represent various viewpoints across the political spectrum, asserting this will positively impact the panel’s outcomes.

Emphasising that the objective is to modernise the political system, leading to a parliamentary and partisan life befitting of Jordanians and Jordan’s democratic path, the King called for defining the end goal of the political development process, forming a clear plan to achieve it and communicate it to citizens, and arriving at a parliament that includes platform-based blocs.

His Majesty stressed the need to create an environment conducive to expanding the base of political engagement, and ensuring the active participation of women and youth in public life.

The King voiced hope to see Jordanians fully engaged in political life and confident in partisan work, reiterating that the door is open to all proposals and views and that everyone’s engagement in dialogue is needed, with the main goal being Jordan’s and Jordanians’ interests.

His Majesty said the political reform track should be in parallel to an economic and administrative track, noting Royal directives to the government to set a well-defined economic programme in the coming weeks with specific implementation timeframes.

The King added that it is important for the programme to be in partnership with the private sector to achieve economic recovery and growth, and create employment, which is necessary to move the economy forward, establish development projects, and tangibly improve public services.

Rifai pledged, during the meeting with King, that the committee will forego preconceptions and personal opinion, and maintain an open attitude throughout its work. He  noted that the panel prioritises working towards fostering a legislative and political environment, and proposing election and parties laws, as well as recommendations for local administration, in addition to any necessary amendments to constitutional provisions and methods of parliamentary engagement.