1- What are the reform demands in Jordan?

Some Jordanians have called for a constitutional monarchy; others have gone on to demand the adoption of the 1952 constitution. Another group of citizens has also asked for the adoption of 1952 constitution, but only after significant amendments have been made to it, whereas a fourth group was satisfied with the already planned reforms such as election legislation and political party laws. Therefore, there is no complete agreement as to the shape of reform.

2- Who is calling for these reforms, and what is their real weight?

Calls for reform are coming from different Jordanian sectors: the Jordanian public, youth, political parties, and other national figures have all stressed the need for governmental reform. Despite the fact that public marches and youth activist demonstrations began in just a few Jordanian cities, some uncertainty still clouds the actual makeup of the groups calling for reform-- especially involving the issue of constitutional monarchy-- due to a lack of work by established organizations and active parties that represent Jordanians. Another point that contributes to this uncertainty is that there is no practical, scientific way to determine the opinion of the youth, the group that constitutes the majority of Jordanians.

3- What does constitutional monarchy mean to those who demand it?

The current means of ruling in the kingdom is, by principle, through a constitutional monarchy and not, as many citizens think, absolute monarchy, as it is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The ruling system works as a constitutional monarchy because the king rules via an established constitution and his executive authority, yet, the monarchy in Jordan is the core of the system. It is closer to an absolute monarchy than a constitutional one, though, due to the vast range of powers and authorities that the king possesses, in terms of legislative powers.

All those political powers and national figures calling for constitutional monarchy in the kingdom are demanding that Jordan follow the example of the UK, or the document known as the Magna Carta, in which the king or queen is the head of the ruling hierarchy, as a spiritual symbol with limited powers in all ruling aspects-- politically in particular-- as the parliamentary majority should primarily run the kingdom. This, from their point of view, is the only way of democratic improvement while maintaining the stability of the throne.

4- What is the difference between a constitutional monarchy, the 1952 constitution, and the current constitution?

The constitutional monarchy that some people are calling for designates the king as only the head of the ruling hierarchy, not of the authorities. People are the rulers, via the legislative authority and parliament that is elected by the people themselves through their representatives in the Lower House.

As for 1952 constitution, it takes the lion’s share among these demands, keeping the king as the head of state and of the political authorities, but with limited access to powers (compared to the current powers His Majesty is entitled to by the current constitution, which gives the king and the executive authority larger powers, especially his ability to dissolve the parliament at will). According to the 1952 constitution, the government must resign immediately if the parliament is dissolved, and elections should take place within 60 days, with no postponement of the elections, as the current constitution allows.

Another point worth mentioning is the way that the 1952 constitution determines the issuance of temporary laws, and who should preside over the higher council of constitution interpretation, which decides constitutional fatwa and has the right to bring ministers to justice. This council was presided over, in the 1952 constitution, by the judge of the highest civil court in the kingdom, which in the current constitution is presided over by the president of the Upper House, who is appointed by the king.

5- Who is calling for a constitutional monarchy?

In fact, calls for constitutional monarchy are hardly new, as for three years there has existed a "constitutional monarchy initiative," which includes a number of national figures, among them Raheel Gharaibeh, the prominent Muslim Brotherhood leader, and Jamal Al-Tahat, the political writer and activist.

This initiative was established three years ago and maintains a website on the internet. The initiative calls for a constitutional monarchy where the king is the head of the state, not of legislative authority.

Other current demands have more than one form, many of which are not wholly clear. Some of these demands have only been heard during the recent reform marches taking place every Friday in Karak and Irbid governorates, particularly by independent political activists affiliated with some political movements and organizations whose demands are more personal, in one way or another.

6- What is King Abdullah II's stance on the idea of a constitutional monarchy (Magna Carta)?

His Majesty King Abdullah II previously agreed to shift the Kingdom into a constitutional monarchy in the year 2005 during a TV interview with ABC News TV, but such statements were not broadcast in local, Jordanian, media and the king has not mentioned anything about a constitutional monarchy since then.

7- What is the government's stance towards constitutional monarchy?

Previous governments in Jordan have never mentioned anything regarding this issue, and no one has dared to ask about it in the media . After all of the surrounding circumstances, the demand for a constitutional monarchy and the parliament’s demand for an answer from the government (or at least a comment), new Prime Minister Maruf Al-Bakhit said that this is only a minor disruption in the foundations of the ruling system, and that the current administration's goals exceed political reform.

8- What is the legislative authority’s (Parliament) stance on a constitutional monarchy?

Not one parliament member has dared to mention anything about this, despite the fact that some MP's have joined the demands of the Jordanian public regarding general political reform. This action was led by the Democratic Gathering Bloc (8 members), as well as other independent MP's.

9- How do opponents of constitutional monarchy view its supporters?

Some people from different institutions, organizations, and groups view the demand for a constitutional monarchy as a disruption of the ruling system in the kingdom, and believe that the current system should remain as it is, because the Royal Family is the only real guarantee and legitimate source of stability in the kingdom. Other Jordanians think that this is merely part of a plan to guide Jordan down the wrong path, that of its becoming a substitute home for Palestinians.

10- Would a constitutional monarchy affect the inherited throne?

There is no contradiction between a constitutional monarchy and inheriting the throne. The Royal Family would remain as the head of the country, and the crown prince would be chosen according to the constitution.

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