King Abdullah II of Jordan appoints new PM following general election
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In line with Jordan's constitution, it is customary for the government to resign after legislative elections.
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This handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace on September 15, 2024, shows Jordan's new Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan. (Photo by Jordanian Royal Palace/AFP)
King Abdullah II of Jordan appointed on Sunday his chief of staff and former planning minister, Jafar Hassan, as the country's new Prime Minister, tasking him with forming a government following recent parliamentary elections, according to the royal palace.
The outgoing Prime Minister, Bisher Khasawneh, who has led the government since October 2020, submitted his resignation earlier in the day. In line with Jordan's constitution, it is customary for the government to resign after legislative elections, with the King being responsible for appointing the new prime minister rather than parliament.
In a letter published by the palace, King Abdullah called on Hassan to "mobilize all efforts to support the steadfastness of our Palestinian brothers" in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and holy occupied al-Quds.
He also urged Hassan to "work with all our energy through Arab and international movements to protect the Palestinian people and stop the attacks and blatant violations of humanitarian principles and international law."
In the recent elections, held on Tuesday, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), emerged as the largest party in parliament, securing 31 of the 138 seats. This marks the IAF’s highest representation since 1989.
The party’s success, achieved with a voter turnout of just 32%, reflected widespread dissatisfaction with the country's economic conditions and "Israel's" ongoing war on the Gaza Strip. As of the first quarter of 2024, Jordan’s unemployment rate stood at 21%.
Jordan, which signed a peace treaty with "Israel" in 1994—becoming only the second Arab country to do so after Egypt—has seen regular protests calling for the treaty’s dissolution following the outbreak of the war on the Palestinian enclave on October 7, 2023.
It is noteworthy that Jordan’s parliament is bicameral, consisting of an elected house and a senate with 69 members appointed by the king.
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