ISLAMIST OPPOSITION PARTY WINS BIG IN JORDAN’S ELECTIONS BUT FALLS SHORT OF MAJORITY

Thu 12 September 2024:

Jordan’s Islamist opposition party, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), has emerged as the biggest winner in the country’s parliamentary elections, though it failed to secure a majority. According to official election results, the IAF won 31 out of 138 seats in the Parliament, tripling its presence in the House of Representatives.

While Jordan’s king retains most of the political power, including appointing governments and dissolving Parliament, the IAF’s strong showing reflects significant public support. Wael al Saqqa of the IAF said, “The Jordanian people have given us their trust by voting for us. This new phase will increase the burden of responsibility for the party towards the nation and our citizens.”

This election marks a historic milestone for the IAF, whose 31 seats represent their largest representation since 1989, when they secured 22 out of 80 seats. The party had previously held 10 seats in the 2020 Parliament and 16 in the 2016 legislature.

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Murad al-Adailah, head of the Muslim Brotherhood, emphasized that the election results signal a desire for change, not just support for Islamism. “Those who voted were not necessarily all Islamists but wanting change and had become fed up with the old ways,” he said.

With over 1.6 million registered voters, the Islamists praised the authorities for allowing fair elections, with al-Adailah calling the outcome a “popular referendum” supporting their platform. This includes backing Hamas and advocating for the repeal of Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel.

Jordan has had to balance its relationship with Israel during the ongoing Gaza conflict, maintaining diplomatic ties while intervening in regional tensions, including Iran’s missile retaliation in April.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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