Jordan Times
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
King Abdullah opens Parliament
today
By Sahar Aloul
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah today opens the 14th Parliament's second
ordinary session where he will deliver his constitutional Speech from the
Throne, while MPs are expected to elect a new House speaker.
In the customary Speech from the Throne, the King is expected to outline his
vision and plan of action for the government, as well as present his views on
regional matters to both Houses in the presence of the Cabinet.
According to Lower House Secretary General Fayez Shawabkeh, King Abdullah will
then greet House members and ministers one by one.
Soon after the King's departure, the Senate will convene to elect their
permanent bureau — president, two deputies and two assistants — an exercise
usually undertaken by consensus, according to Shawabkeh.
Once the Upper House concludes its session, the Lower House will hold their
first meeting to elect their permanent bureau with the eldest member of the
House, Abdul Hafeez Heet, presiding over the session.
The two youngest members of the House, Adab Saoud and Ibrahim Itaiwi will assist
Heet (Amman, 1st District).
A verse from the Holy Koran will then be read followed by the Lower House
secretary general reading the Royal Decree to end Parliament's extraordinary
session and call for the start of the ordinary one.
Three MPs will then be appointed by the presiding deputy to oversee the election
of the permanent bureau.
Incumbent House Speaker and former Public Security Department Chief Abdul Hadi
Majali is facing one contender, former Justice minister, MP Abdul Karim Al
Dughmi.
Majali is backed by the National Democratic coalition — a grouping of five
blocs: Majali's own National Action Front (11 MPs), National Bloc (25 MPs),
Democratic Alliance (11MPs), the New Reformist Bloc (4 MPs) and a part of the
Watan Bloc and a number of independents
Dughmi, a Mafraq MP, is supported by the remaining two House blocs: the National
Democratic Bloc (14 MPs) and the heavy weight Islamic Action Front (17 MPs), as
well as several independents.
Both coalitions have split the permanent bureau positions amongst their members
in a bid to satisfy coalition members and garner support for the speakership
race.
Upon the election of the House speaker and his permanent bureau, the elected
speaker will open the door for MPs to nominate themselves for the House's 14
permanent committees — the most contended being the judicial, finance and
foreign affairs.
According to the secretary general, committee membership is traditionally gained
by consensus.
“However, should there be more than 11 MPs registering for the same committee an
election will be held to determine membership,” Shawabkeh told The Jordan Times.
The Lower House is expected to continue deliberations over the temporary laws
left over from previews sessions, including the Civil Status Law, the Press and
Publications Law as well as the State Budget Law for 2005.
“There are some 170-180 laws for the House to debate this session, including the
temporary laws drafted during the absence of Parliament, the laws left over from
the past extraordinary session and any new laws that may be put forth for the
House to debate,” Shawabkeh said.
The House's internal bylaws are also expected to be put up for deliberation this
coming session, which is expected to last for four months at least.