Jordan Times
Monday, June 27, 2005
Badran concludes meetings with MPs
AMMAN (JT) — Prime Minister Adnan Badran on
Sunday concluded a series of meetings with parliamentary blocs ahead of an
expected Cabinet reshuffle.
Badran met with independent and reformists MPs for talks on means to enhance
cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive authorities.
The premier, who is scheduled to meet with senators today, outlined government
programmes and plans to be included in the policy statement that will be
presented to the Lower House.
The deputies emphasised that there should be a ministerial team capable of
meeting the current challenges.
Badran's meetings were part of efforts to end the two-month impasse between the
government and a group of deputies over the Cabinet's formation.
A government official told The Jordan Times that the Cabinet reshuffle is
expected to take place before the end of this week.
Analysts believed that the reshuffle would pave the way for a vote of confidence
by deputies when they reconvene for an extraordinary session expected next
month.
Officials have remained tight-lipped over the names of potential candidates for
the new Cabinet lineup.
Agence France-Presse reported Sunday that the reshuffle would bring in Marwan
Muasher, currently Royal Court minister, as deputy premier.
Muasher held the same post in the former government of Faisal Fayez. Badran's
government was formed in April and instructed to accelerate socio-economic and
political reforms. Muasher also heads the Steering Committee for the National
Agenda, mandated to set the pace for the reform plans over the next 10 years.
According to informed sources the reshuffle would not be limited but rather
affect seven to ten ministries, including the ministries of water and
irrigation, agriculture, information and communications technology, public
sector reform, justice and foreign affairs.
The reshuffle might also split up combined ministries such as the Ministry of
Parliamentary Affairs and Political Development, and the Ministry of Education
and Higher Education and Scientific Research.