(MENAFN- Jordan Times) It was widely expected that His Majesty King Abdullah would take the initiative to direct the government and the legislative institutions to widen the scope of political participation, in particular for political parties.
The new Elections Law was ratified by the King in order to immediately start the necessary preparations to hold the elections at the end of this year, but the King directed the government to send an amendment raising the number of seats on the national list, a demand supported by public opinion, in order to widen participation and provide better opportunity to develop partisan life in Jordan.
Still it is not clear how many seats will be added to the national list, and how the Muslim Brotherhood will react.
The move expresses His Majesty's wish that all political groups in opposition participate in the elections and in the political life during the next stage, and end all political differences through mutual agreements on the best way to solve the difficulties the country faces.
The participation of the Muslim Brotherhood, and all opposition groups in Jordan, is welcomed by the King, the government and the public.
It is time to withdraw our political differences from the street and deal with them on a higher level, through dialogue and political agreement. Decisions become more effective, legitimate and binding when they are supported by national consensus.
It is to the benefit of the Muslim Brotherhood and all political parties to compete through political institutions. It is unwise to dwell so long in the street when the opportunity is ripe to effect real reform through Parliament and government.
The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan would also be wise to draw a line between the political concerns of Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian group, and those of Jordanians.
It is our duty to help the Palestinian people, but not to discriminate among different Palestinian parties.
Part of the misunderstanding between Jordanian governments and the Muslim Brotherhood was due to the negative influence of some Jordanian leaders and members of the Islamic movement who joined Hamas after the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza.
It is essential at this critical stage that all political and social groups work with the government to secure the country and to find solutions, through dialogue and mutual agreement, to the social and economic difficulties we face, and to take measures and precautions against the dangerous developments in Syria and the region, which started to affect the country.
Demonstrations in the streets did their part; they helped accelerate the process of reform and opened the door for real change.
The coming elections and Parliament should take constructive measures to make political and economic reform and stability a reality, and to ensure continued process.
The King wishes all parties to participate and take responsibility because Jordan needs all those who really care for its posperity and stability.
The writer is former minister of information and media expert. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times.
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