Jordan Chooses Stability | Inss

On September 20, 2016, Jordan held elections for its eighteenth parliament. That same day, King Abdullah II delivered his address at the United Nations General Assembly, praising his people for actively participating in the democratic process. By absenting himself from Jordan on election day, the king bowed to an international schedule he had no ability to change. Doing so, however, also signaled his confidence that the Jordanian voters would not opt for any major surprises liable to upset the balance of power between the monarchy and the executive and legislative bodies. During the parliament’s new term, Jordan will continue to face significant challenges, including the war on terrorism; the Salafi jihadist threat; the Syrian refugees, and relations with Israel. The previous Jordanian parliament was not a key player in Jordan’s political, economic, or social theaters. However, a new parliament will soon take office under new regional circumstances, and may have to take serious decisions with long term implications. Perhaps the status of the parliament will then change in the eyes of the 60 percent of the Jordanian electorate that in 2016 stayed home, indifferent to the election and its consequences.