Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Jordan’s king blames PM for slow reform | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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AMMAN, Jordan , (AP)– Jordan’s King Abdullah II is blaming his appointed prime minister for delaying changes to the political system the monarch proposed as a response to calls for more democracy.

The changes include a new electoral law to replace one critics say favors the king’s loyalists and has produced a docile parliament.

The premier has responsibility for pushing legislation through the parliament, the only elected body in Jordan’s government. The legislature has taken no action on drawing up reform bills since the king proposed them Feb. 9.

Abdullah told Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit in a written letter published in Jordanian newspapers Wednesday that the reform process needs “decisive and quick” measures and he “will not accept any excuse” for delays.