Jordan's constitutional changes become law

The amendments consolidate King Abdullah II's powers

Jordan's King Abdullah II has made a series of constitutional changes that were approved by parliament and took effect on Monday. Photo: AFP

Constitutional changes initiated by Jordan’s King Abdullah II and passed by the loyalist parliament last month are now in effect.

The changes consolidate the powers of the king and one amendment addresses women's rights.

They were published in the official register on Monday, after the monarch had signed them.

King Abdullah, who turned 60 on Sunday, can appoint or dismiss governments. He commands the military and controls foreign policy.

The amendments create a national security council headed by the king.

The amendment said the new security council “specialises in the senior affairs regarding security, defence and foreign policy and meets when necessary upon the call of the king.” Heads of the intelligence service and the army sit on the council.

The amendments also make it difficult for parliament to sack governments, requiring a motion for a vote of confidence to be approved by 25 per cent of the legislature, instead of a 7 per cent threshold.

The 130-member legislature has largely ceremonial power and is dominated by tribes, that form the bedrock for support for the monarchy.

But the monarch has initiated changes to the electoral law, expected to be passed by parliament, that set aside a minority of the seats in the legislature for political parties.

The changes are part of a “political modernisation” process King Abdullah has said the country needs.

Another amendment said that the state would support “the empowerment of women” with the aim of guaranteeing “equality of opportunity” for women and protection from “all forms of violence and discrimination.”

The current constitution merely says that employers should make special considerations for women, without offering further detail.

In a letter to mark his birthday, King Abdullah said development in Jordan has slowed down, blaming “weakness of institutional work and foot-dragging in executing programmes and plans".