Gradual transition to a constitutional monarchy is a one-way road, but it requires active political parties that can win voters’ confidence through adopting practical and workable programmes touching on the public’s needs and national interests, analysts said on Saturday.
This was a point highlighted by His Majesty King Abdullah in his second discussion paper released last week.
In the paper, the King outlined the methodology for the formation of a parliamentary government after Wednesday’s legislative elections.
The new prime minister will be designated based on consultations with the majority coalition of parliamentary blocs, His Majesty said.
If no clear majority emerges in the next Lower House, the designation will be “based upon consultation with all parliamentary blocs”, he added, noting that premier-designate will then consult with House blocs to form the new parliamentary government and agree on its programme.
“Democracy is fundamentally something active, something we do as citizens and as a country… The fundamental principle of modern democracy is that the people elect representatives to make important public decisions on behalf of the country as a whole,” the King wrote.
Analysts welcomed King Abdullah’s vision for the next steps in reform after the elections, saying that it drew the blue print of the upcoming political phase.
In statements to The Jordan Times on Saturday, former media minister Nabil Sharif said the King in the second paper reiterated that reform is an ongoing process that should be based on evolution rather than revolution.
Sharif added that the King called on Jordanians to adopt a unique methodology of political reform and state-building to set an example to others.
“The King asserted that a constitutional monarchy is an irreversible option, coupled with the country’s bid to switch to parliamentary governments.
“He called on the upcoming parliament and government to work in that direction to meet the demands of the coming phase of democratic transition that ensures public participation in the decision-making process,” the former minister said.
Batir Wardam, a political analyst and a columnist, said the King highlighted two important issues: the gradual transition to constitutional monarchy as an essential strategic option and the methodology of appointing prime ministers in coordination with the emerging coalitions in the upcoming parliament, paving the way for reaching parliamentary governments.
“In order to ensure a smooth and successful transition to constitutional monarchy, certain aspects need to be available such as strong and vibrant political parties with practical national programmes that can reflect the public’s interests,” Wardam said, adding that the King’s paper explicitly underlined those aspects.
In his paper, the Monarch gave three conditions to ensure a full parliamentary government’s continued expertise and effectiveness.
He stressed the need to have “true national parties that aggregate specific and local interests into a national platform for action”, noting that the Kingdom’s civil service should “further develop its professional, impartial non-political abilities to support and advise” the ministers of parliamentary governments.
The third condition is “a change in parliamentary conventions” and the way the parliament functions to support the new government.
“The Royal document contains excellent ideas that will for sure set the foundation for a successful democracy but its implementation requires a genuine belief in the three principles highlighted in the King’s paper by governments, parliament, political parties and the society in general,” Wardam said.
Without a successful implementation, he warned, the Royal vision will turn into a slow transformation which could reflect negatively on public confidence in the state.
Meanwhile, Omar Kullab, a columnist, said divisions within society are healthy as long as all rivals agree on the same objectives that seek the country’s best interests but differ on the implementation.
“In light of the political scene, Jordanian policy is working in the direction of consolidating our internal front in the face of the challenges ahead with open minds and acceptance of all views and opinions,” Kullab said.
He added that the King’s papers, proposed for national discussion, stress this fact, which calls for fortifying the national front through encouraging political dialogue.
“The King’s second paper talks about a more detailed future that awaits citizens: a parliamentary government, which means that the power will be in the hands of the people, and a parliament which will be the incubator for governments,” he noted.
An academic analyst and researcher Madeleine Mazegopian said that the evolutionary rather than the revolutionary path prevalent in the Kingdom is not the only attribute that distinguishes Jordan’s path to democracy.
“Jordan’s ‘First Statesman’s’ endeavours to modify his own role to adjust to political reforms… is yet another distinct aspect of Jordan’s activating and strengthening democracy,” she told The Jordan Times, referring to King Abdullah’s keenness to partake in and consolidate Jordan’s democratic process through the papers he proposes for public discussion.
Hani Hazaimeh
http://jordantimes.com/road-to-parliamentary-govts-requires-genuine-beli...