System of Government

Jordan’s System of Government

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with representative government. The reigning monarch is the head of state, the chief executive and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The King exercises his executive authority through the prime minister and the Council of Ministers, or cabinet. The cabinet, meanwhile, is responsible before the elected House of Deputies which, along with the House of Notables (Senate), constitutes the legislative branch of the government. The judicial branch is an independent branch of the government.

Since 1989, all elements of the Jordanian political spectrum have embarked together on a road to greater democracy, liberalization and consensus building. These reforms, which were guided by the late King Hussein, have placed Jordan on an irreversible road to democratization. The result has been greater empowerment and involvement of everyday citizens in Jordan’s civic life, contributing to increased stability and institutionalization.

Jordan’s constitution stipulates that the country is a hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system. It outlines the functions and powers of the state, the rights and duties of Jordanians, the guidelines for interpretation of the Constitution and the conditions for constitutional amendments. It mandates the separation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and outlines the regulation of the government’s finances, as well as the enforcement and repeal of laws. Importantly, the Constitution specifically guarantees the rights of Jordanian citizens, including the freedoms of speech and press, association, academic freedom, organization into political parties, freedom of religion and the right to elect parliamentary and municipal representatives.

The reigning monarch is the chief executive. The king exercises his executive authority by appointing the prime minister, who then organizes a cabinet of ministers to be appointed by the king. The prime minister and the cabinet must then be approved by the Lower House of Parliament, the House of Deputies. If the House of Deputies votes against the prime minister, he and his entire cabinet must resign. The Lower House can also vote any individual minister out of office. The king also appoints all of the members of the Upper House of Parliament, known as the House of Notables, or Senate. The number of senators cannot exceed one-half the number of elected representatives.

The Constitution stipulates that the reigning monarch must approve laws before they can take effect, although his power of veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of both houses of Parliament. The king also authorizes the appointment and dismissal of judges, regional governors and the mayor of Amman, and he approves constitutional amendments, declares war and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. As head of state, the king concludes and ratifies treaties and agreements, with the approval of the cabinet and Parliament. The king is also entitled to grant special pardons and amnesties. The throne of the Kingdom is passed down through inheritance within the dynasty of King Abdullah I bin al-Hussein in the direct line of his male heirs. Since 1921, Jordan has been ruled by four monarchs: King Abdullah (1921 – 51), son of Sharif Hussein of Mecca and King of the Arabs; King Talal bin Abdullah (1951 – 52), eldest son of King Abdullah; King Hussein bin Talal (1952 – 1999), eldest son of King Talal; and, King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein (February 7, 1999 – present), eldest son of King Hussein.

The administration of all internal and external Jordanian affairs is entrusted to the prime minister and the cabinet, or Council of Ministers. The King’s appointment of the cabinet must be confirmed by the Lower House of Parliament, and the ministers remain accountable to it. The Constitution requires that the Council of Ministers present its political program to Parliament, where it is then voted on within one month of the formation of the cabinet.