AMMAN, Jordan – Jordanians should be able to elect their prime minister and other government officials rather than having them appointed, the powerful Islamist opposition said Tuesday in a rare challenge to Jordan's political system.
Islamic Action Front leader Hamza Mansour's demand underlines a rising tension with Jordan's King Abdullah II, an absolute monarch, and comes as Arab rulers are bracing to see if the popular unrest that unseated Tunisia's ruler could spread around the region.
When Abdullah ascended to the throne in 1999, he said he envisioned Jordan as one day becoming a constitutional monarchy, similar to Britain, however little has since come of these plans and he retains the power to appoints ministers, dismiss parliament and rule by decree.
"We appeal to the king to dismiss the cabinet, allow for the formation of an interim government that enjoys the confidence of the people until a Cabinet elected by the people is in place," Mansour told reporters.
He did not elaborate on how the Cabinet or ministers would be elected.
He accused the serving Cabinet of corruption, burdening the poor and being detached from society. The Islamic Action Front — the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood — is the chief opposition to the government, though it has allied itself with the monarchy in the past.
The complaints mirror those that ultimately led to the downfall of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, though as a monarchy with deep support from the Bedouin-dominated military, Jordan is not seen as seen vulnerable as Tunisia.
Fearing Tunisian-style economic protests, Jordanian Prime Minister Samir Rifai announced last week a $125 million package of new subsidies for fuel and staple products like sugar.
But Mansour and other opposition groups argued that the subsidies were insufficient and held several peaceful, but noisy protests across the country over the last few days.
Mansour said worsening economic conditions needed to be addressed, including the rising prices of foodstuffs and fuel, an inflation that jumped 1.5 percent to 6.1 percent last month, unemployment and poverty — estimated at 12 percent and 25 percent respectively.
He said his movement will stage another protest on Friday to press its demand for a reduction in the prices of commodities.
Mansour also urged the king to dissolve parliament elected on Nov. 9, saying the polling process had been "rigged."
The Islamic Action Front boycotted the polls, after the Cabinet failed to adopt a new election law guaranteeing a more equitable distribution of seats that didn't favor the king's rural supporters.
