Jordan’s King Abdullah Swears in New Government Led by Technocrat

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN – Jordan’s King Abdullah has inaugurated a reform-oriented government aimed at expediting IMF-supported reforms and advancing critical political and economic modernization needed to address a decade of weak economic growth, according to officials.

The new prime minister, Jafar Hassan, who previously managed the monarch’s office, is a Harvard-educated administrator with a long public service record. He has experience in overseeing economic reforms as both the deputy prime minister and planning minister, earning a reputation as an effective leader.

A central focus of the new government will be to accelerate reforms guided by the IMF and to manage the country’s public debt, which exceeds $50 billion. Jordan is grappling with high unemployment rates, and its stability relies significantly on substantial foreign aid from Western nations.

The traditional conservative establishment has often been accused of hindering the modernization efforts championed by the Western-leaning monarchy, fearing that liberal reforms could undermine their power.

Ayman Safadi, a seasoned foreign minister known for his strong anti-Israel rhetoric, will continue in his role within the newly formed 32-member cabinet, which features a mix of moderates, tribal politicians, and technocrats.

Hassan has consulted with the influential Islamist opposition, which achieved notable success in recent parliamentary elections.

The Islamists secured 31 seats, marking their strongest representation since parliamentary governance was reinstated in 1989. They now hold the largest political bloc in the 138-member parliament.

Despite the pro-government majority that remains, the increased presence of the Islamist-led opposition may pose challenges to the government’s IMF-supported free-market reforms and foreign policy, according to diplomats and officials.

The Islamist faction, which has organized significant demonstrations supporting the militant Palestinian group Hamas, campaigned on a platform advocating for democratic enhancements and broader public freedoms.

Concerns over a tightening authoritarian governance have been amplified by the detention of dissidents and activists who have voiced criticism of government measures during the Gaza conflict, as noted by rights organizations and independent political figures.

The new finance minister, Abdul Hakim al-Shibli, an experienced economist, takes over from Mohammad al-Ississ, who received acknowledgment from the IMF for his commitment to reform and fiscal discipline while avoiding austerity measures that have historically led to social unrest.

The previous administration aimed to implement King Abdullah’s reforms to counteract a decade of sluggish growth, which has stagnated around 2%, compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

As one of the U.S.’s closest allies in the Middle East, Jordan is seeking increased donor assistance to mitigate the repercussions of regional instability and the ongoing Gaza crisis on its economy, according to government officials.