Jordan's Government Resigns Ahead of New Cabinet Formation

Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh submitted his government’s resignation to King Abdullah II on Sunday, following the country’s parliamentary elections.

The move is in preparation for the formation of a new government, a tradition after each parliamentary election cycle, according to Jordan’s state television.

The resignation follows the successful completion of the 20th parliamentary elections. Reports suggest that Khasawneh is expected to be replaced by Jaafar Hassan, the current head of the Royal Court and a former Minister of Planning, who received his education in the United States.

Khasawneh, a seasoned diplomat and former royal advisor, has held the position of prime minister since October 2020.

His government’s resignation aligns with the long-standing practice in Jordan, where the ruling monarch appoints a new prime minister to form a government after parliamentary elections held every four years.

The recent elections, held on Tuesday, saw an unprecedented victory for Jordan's Islamist political factions, who secured 31 seats out of 138, marking their most significant win in over three decades.

The elections were held amid the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza, and among the elected representatives were 27 women.

This year's elections were conducted under a new electoral law, passed in January 2022, which allocated 41 seats specifically to political parties, a move aimed at promoting political engagement and strengthening party systems in the country.

The Khasawneh government had been managing Jordan's challenging economic situation, which has been exacerbated by regional conflicts in Iraq and Syria, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a national debt exceeding $50 billion.

The kingdom’s tourism industry, contributing roughly 14% to the GDP, has also been significantly impacted by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Additionally, Jordan continues to shoulder the financial burden of hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees, with the cost of their support surpassing $10 billion, according to government estimates.

Jordan’s economy remains heavily reliant on international aid, particularly from the United States, the European Union, and Gulf states.