Jordan Times
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Gov't
reconsidering bills on parties, unions — PM
AMMAN (JT) — Prime Minister Adnan Badran said the government was reconsidering
two draft laws, key for political development, citing "reservations" about the
bills.
In an interview with Al Rai and The Jordan Times on Sunday, Badran was referring
to the proposed laws of political parties and professional associations — both
drafted by the former government of Faisal Fayez.
The prime minister said his government will draft a "modern law on political
parties."
"We have reservations about the [parties'] law and we can't submit it to
Parliament," the premier said.
Badran said that according to the draft law, there is "too much intervention" by
the government in the parties' financial affairs.
"Financial interference by the government will jeopardise the independence of
the parties," he said.
The government of Fayez argued that the financial aspect in the law was meant to
support the parties, which are banned to receive any foreign assistance.
"We shouldn't rush," Badran said, noting that the government would consult
political parties on the legislation before presenting it to a national
conference for debate and recommendations.
In addition, he said, the Committee for the National Agenda is examining the
current Political Parties Law and expected to announce its recommendations in
September.
The prime minister, meanwhile, said the government would not withdraw a
controversial bill governing the work of the 14 professional associations, which
groups 130,000 members.
The bill was forwarded with an "urgency status" to the Lower House by the Fayez
government weeks before its resignation earlier this year.
But the associations and political activists lobbied extensively against the
legislation, which was perceived as seeking to tie the hands of the
Islamists-dominated unions and curb their political activities, including a
relentless fight against normalisation with Israel.
During the House debate on confidence in Badran's government, several MPs
demanded that the government withdraw the bill.
Badran said the bill will not be withdrawn, but it will include some amendments.
The premier expected that the 2007 parliamentary elections would be conducted
under new laws of elections and political parties "if there is enough time."
He said the government "has no intention to recommend the dissolution of the
Lower House."
The Constitution gives the government the authority to recommend such a move,
which cannot take place unless a Royal Decree is issued dissolving the
legislature.
He added that the adjournment of the extraordinary session, which was opened
late July, was to "give the executive power enough time to do its job before the
opening of the ordinary session," in early December.