Lower House panel approves political parties bill

AMMAN — A joint Lower House committee on Wednesday endorsed the draft political parties law after holding several brainstorming meetings with the concerned agencies.

Mustafa Amawi, head of the panel which comprises members of the legal and public freedoms committees, said all notes and written proposals from political parties, women’s societies, experts, activists and youth organisations were taken into consideration when reviewing the law. He noted that a strong emphasis has been placed on empowering women in partisan life.  

Under the joint committee’s amendments to the 2015 law, political parties can enjoy additional finance provided that they win parliamentary or municipal seats paralleling the number of votes they gain, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted Amawi as saying.

The reform-oriented draft political parties law was placed on the agenda of the next extraordinary session, which will start, under a Royal Decree, on June 1.

Deputies are also scheduled to discuss the decentralisation law with its validating reasons centring primarily on enhancing citizens’ participation in the decision-making process.

Also on Wednesday, in a separate meeting, the Lower House Legal Committee endorsed the 2015 law on the projected Crown Prince Foundation, Petra reported.

The draft law, which was endorsed by the Cabinet on April 23, stipulates the establishment of a foundation under HRH Crown Prince Hussein’s name that will work to support voluntary, social and charitable efforts in the Kingdom.

The foundation will carry out its mission through supporting local communities, and developing the talents of young people, improving their living conditions and enhancing their role in development projects.

The foundation will be run and supervised by a board of trustees, comprising no less than four members, to be appointed by a Royal Decree for a three-year term.