Jordan’s King Abdullah has sworn in a new government headed by Hani Mulki as prime minister for a second term and with foreign, finance and economic ministerial posts kept unchanged. Mulki, who has held a string of senior diplomatic and ministerial posts, was first appointed last May to oversee the parliamentary elections that were held last week. He declared that his government will work closely with the newly elected parliament. “This government will work in coordination and direct communication with the parliament to serve the country and its citizens. There will be economic, social and political agendas, which will be discussed with parliament so that this country will be strong and protected under its Hashemite leadership. Thank you,” said Malki.
In Jordan’s constitutional monarchy most powers rest with the king, who appoints governments, approves legislation and can dissolve parliament. The key finance, foreign and finance ministerial posts would remain unchanged and the 29-member cabinet would as before be dominated by a mix of technocrats, conservative politicians and tribal loyalists. Mulki will face a more assertive parliament when it convenes for the first time next month after Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood gained a foothold in last week’s election. The Islamist movement ended a decade-long boycott of mainstream politics and returns as the mainstay of a broad civic alliance. Although the alliance is not large enough to block legislation or cabinet appointments, it should nevertheless allow for livelier debates in the assembly that could undermine public support for government policies.