Now that the controversial constitutional amendments have
been ratified by His Majesty the King and published in the Official Gazette,
what next?
اضافة اعلان
The day after the publication, aIheadline read
“Only 20 percent of Jordanians are aware of constitutional amendments”.
Reference was made to the results of a public opinion poll conducted by the
University of Jordan’s Center for Strategic Studies. Without going into the
detailed results of that poll, one can easily surmise that such amendments did
not capture the interest of the public.
Such a conclusion had not eluded King Abdullah’s attention.
In his message to the Jordanians on the occasion of his 60th birthday last
Sunday, he addressed some of the biggest concerns of the Jordanian public.
The King said that he will dedicate himself to the service
of his people throughout his life, sending a message of comfort to the people,
the armed forces and all who believe in the necessity of him carrying the torch
for the long haul.
The second important message was the King’s focus on the
economic downside and people’s daily suffering and deep worries over their
livelihoods.
Incomes are shrinking, wealth is liquidated and job
opportunities for the young generation are not there to be seized. King
Abdullah promised he would do everything possible to revive the once-promising
economy.
Third, the King urged the weak-hearted public officials to
take more assertive and proactive positions, minding the adage “he who
hesitates is lost”.
The King had given instructions to the Royal Court to form a
working group of officials, experts, and private sector leaders, to develop an
economic plan or strategy for the next 10 years which will help Jordan.
These measures must be taken to assure the people that
whatever HM the King decides will be implemented, indicating the seriousness of
and commitment to reform.
So, the steps that must be taken immediately are forming the
working group by naming its members, and succinctly spelling its terms of
reference. It is also important to name the two National Security Council
members who are not ex-officio and appointed by the King. It is equally vital
to appoint the minister of the Royal Court, a position instated in the new
constitutional amendments.
The people need to see some of the high-profile projects
being announced and put into immediate implementation.
There are quick fixes which can be applied, new financial
arrangements made, and an invitation to an international development conference
to be sent out once the economic strategy of the working group is finalized.
The Writer is an economist, and has held several
ministerial posts, including former deputy prime minister and former chief of
the Royal Court.
Read more Opinion and Analysis
.jpg)
.jpg)
