 GOVERNMENT |
The Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch
| THE CONSTITUTION |
Jordan's constitution was written in 1949, promulgated in 1952, and amended several times (notably in 1974 and 1976). It stipulates that Jordan is a hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system. Several constitutional provisions define the rights and duties of the Jordanian citizen and guarantee various freedoms, including those of worship, opinion and association.
The constitution outlines the powers and functions of the state, enforcement of laws, interpretation of the constitution, emergency powers and constitutional amendments, and the separation of the legislative, executive and judicial branches. | | THE NATIONAL CHARTER |
When Jordan entered a new political era with the November 1989 parliamentary elections, King Hussein stressed the need to recognize the country's pluralistic political life. He announced plans to draw up a National Charter to underline Jordan's political pluralism and democratic freedoms, in light of the restoration of the electoral process.
In early 1990, the King appointed a 60-member commission, headed by former prime minister Ahmad Obeidat and representing Jordan's entire political spectrum, to debate and write the National Charter.
In January 1991, the commission presented the draft charter to the King, and on June 9 it was approved by a national Jordanian congress of over 2000 popular representatives made up of elected figures, political activists, intellectuals and academicians.
The charter paved the way for political parties within the context of a pluralistic democracy, thus opening the way for free access within the democratic system to all political ideologies and trends. It stipulates that political parties in the country must be locally based and cannot receive funding or ideological directives from abroad.
The charter stresses Jordan's national and pan-Arab identity and its commitment to the restitution of Palestinian national rights. |
