Jordan’s King Abdullah Appoints U.S.-Educated Technocrat as Prime Minister, Royal Court Reports

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN – Jordan’s King Abdullah has appointed Jafar Hassan, a key aide, as the new prime minister following the resignation of the government on Sunday. This transition comes days after parliamentary elections in which the Islamist opposition made notable gains in the U.S.-allied nation.

Hassan, who currently heads the king’s office and previously served as planning minister, succeeds Bisher Khasawneh, a seasoned diplomat and former palace adviser who has been in office for nearly four years. Khasawneh will continue in a caretaker role until a new cabinet is established.

Hassan, a respected technocrat with a Harvard education, faces significant challenges, particularly in addressing the economic repercussions of the ongoing Gaza conflict, which has severely affected investments and tourism in the country.

In his appointment letter, King Abdullah emphasized the importance of strengthening democracy and advancing the kingdom’s economic prospects through donor-supported mega-infrastructure projects in the energy and water sectors.

The outgoing prime minister had worked towards reforms initiated by King Abdullah aimed at revitalizing an economy that has seen little growth, stagnating around 2% and further impacted by the pandemic and regional conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

The traditional conservative establishment has often been criticized for hindering modernization efforts proposed by the king, fearing that such liberal reforms might undermine their authority.

Looking ahead, officials highlight the critical need to accelerate reforms guided by the International Monetary Fund and to manage over $50 billion in public debt amid high unemployment rates. Jordan’s stability relies heavily on substantial foreign aid from Western countries.

In the recent elections, the opposition, comprising the Muslim Brotherhood and its allies, gained ground, winning 31 seats — the highest since the re-establishment of parliamentary life in 1989 after years of martial law. This marked them as the largest political faction in parliament, fueled by public discontent over Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Despite the pro-government majority in the 138-member parliament, the newly energized Islamist-led opposition may pose challenges to IMF-backed market reforms and foreign policy moving forward, according to diplomats and officials.

Jordan’s constitution grants the king substantial powers, including the appointment of governments and the ability to dissolve parliament, although the assembly can instigate a cabinet’s resignation through a vote of no confidence.