Jordanian voters are due to cast their ballots Tuesday to elect a new parliament amid a sluggish economy and the ongoing war in Gaza. The vote is unlikely to shake up the political landscape in the kingdom, where the king retains control over strategic issues under the constitution.
More than five million Jordanians are called to elect their deputies on Tuesday, September 10, in a climate marked by a gloomy economy and the war in Gaza, which remains at the heart of concerns.
Polls open from 4am to 4pm GMT and results are expected within 48 hours. Analysts predict a high abstention rate.
These are the first elections in Jordan since the adoption of a new law in January 2022 that increased the number of seats in parliament from 130 to 138, raised the quota for women and lowered the minimum age for candidates.
But they are unlikely to shake up the political landscape in the kingdom, where the constitution says the king retains control over strategic issues, appoints the prime minister and can dissolve parliament, declare war, make peace or pass treaties and agreements.
Nearly half of Jordan’s population is of Palestinian origin, and protesters have regularly called for the peace treaty to be scrapped since the start of the war.
Voters say they fear that no economic improvement is possible as long as the war in Gaza continues.
With AFP
- FRANCE 24
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