The Islamic Action Front’s victory in Jordan with 31 seats out of 138 seats, which is the highest number, was expected. The front is well-organized, and combines advocacy, social, and political. It has been in line with the mood of the people, who are outraged about the war of extermination in Gaza and support the resistance.
The Islamic Party won high number of votes among the Bedouins and tribes, in addition to the votes it got in the cities. In addition to this party, new organisations won a high percentage of votes and many seats. They are entering parliament for the first time. The explanation for this outcome is that these elections witnessed a jostling between social forces. In the end, this parliament will have something new in its faces and in the forces it represents.
Although the Islamic Action Front topped with the largest number of seats, there are parties which came close to it in terms of their representation, including, for example, the National Charter Party, which was established only a year and a half ago. It is clear that more than half of the winners belong to new parties. They are able to form a large, homogeneous bloc. It is noteworthy that the leftist and nationalist movements of all colours did not reach parliament, with the exception of a small number of independent figures who may be close to the left.
It was noted in these elections that the Jordanian Communist Party (one of the oldest parties) performed well, to the point that it removed the Islamic Action Front from the lead in one of the electoral districts. The Democratic Movement was also not lucky. Its share of the votes came after the share of the Communist Party. The Labour Party won two seats. Therefore, it will not be able to “direct” parliament, enact legislation, and monitor government performance. It will also not be able to have a tangible impact on basic public policies, due to its lack of partners and allies, unless it succeeds in establishing working relationships with independents. Because the party is conservative, it confronts opposition in its view of women’s rights, for example, and cultural and artistic activities, etc., which requires it to show greater flexibility and respect for cultural diversity in society.
The question here remains about what is fresh which has appeared in these elections. There is something truly new in the form of party presence, as new parties are facing the test of seriousness and feasibility and that if they are listening to the pulse of the people and their actual needs. In the new parliament, there will be 27 female representatives, the size which is bigger than all Arab parliaments. There is also representation of the youth category. This is the shape of the new parliament.
However, it is yet to be tested that these developments will prove that they carry something new in terms of the actual role in formulating advanced legislation, and in participation in drawing up policies closer to the aspirations of the people.
[by Mahmoud Rimawi in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed]
Compiled and translated by Faizul Haque