Jordan revamps cabinet in latest overhaul of top institutions
The Prime Minister of US ally Jordan reshuffled his cabinet
on Thursday, the latest in a series of institutional shakeups in recent weeks
that officials describe as an effort to meet the kingdom’s mounting challenges, Reuters reported.
The reshuffle by premier Omar al-Razzaz, his third since
taking office almost a year ago, affected eight ministers but also left key
portfolios in place, including those of finance and foreign affairs.
It comes on the heels of leadership changes in the powerful
General Intelligence Department (GID), which has extended its pervasive
influence across public life in recent years.
King Abdullah appointed General Ahmed Husni last week to
head the agency after dismissing his predecessor, praising the spy agency’s
role but citing abuses by a small group whom he accused of placing personal
interests above the country.
The king had days before approved a restructuring of his own
office within the royal palace, bringing in new faces that expanded his team of
senior advisors.
These changes coincide with sluggish economic growth and
official concern about the repercussions on Jordan of a Middle East peace plan
to be put forward by the United States after the end of the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan in early June.
King Abdullah has expressed concern that the secret plan
could push Jordan to accept a solution at his country’s expense, forcing it to
accept the permanent settlement of many of his subjects of Palestinian origin.
Officials say Thursday’s government reshuffle will also
solidify Razzaz’s mandate to accelerate economic reforms, seen as crucial to
spur growth in the debt-straddled country.
“We are going through a situation filled with challenges,”
Razzaz said in comments after the new cabinet lineup.
The former World Bank economist took office last June at the
height of a political crisis that saw some of the largest protests in years
over IMF-driven austerity measures including steep tax hikes that critics say
hit the middle class.
He has faced criticism from the conservative establishment
that dominates parliament, which accuses him of a pro-Western reform agenda
promoting harsh IMF measures that worsen the plight of lower-income households
and the poor.
Although large street protests have fizzled out, a disparate
opposition composed of disgruntled low paid state employees and middle class
activists continue to hold small protests against government policies blamed
for rising poverty and growing unemployment among youths.
Razzaz has defended the IMF-backed reforms, saying Jordan
can no longer afford to sustain a large bloated public sector whose salaries
eat up the $13 billion budget with an economy burdened with a record public
debt of around $40 billion.