Activists protest economic situation

AMMAN - Hundreds of activists demonstrated outside the Parliament on Sunday against the government’s economic policies, calling on it to resign.

Protesters shouted slogans against the prime minister, asking him to step down.

They carried banners highlighting the difficult economic situation and calling for fighting corruption.

"We must fight corruption,” read one banner; “Enough high prices and yes to a decent life”, read another.

Islamists and members of the professional associations took part in the protest, organised by the national coalition of opposition parties, an umbrella of six left leaning and Islamist parties.

Overall leader of the Muslim Brotherhood Hamam Saeed addressed the crowd, reiterating calls on the government to reconsider its economic policies.

He accused the government of “squandering national assets” by selling major state enterprises.

The sit-in was held as Cabinet members entered the Parliament to discuss economic policies with the Lower House.

Last week, in response to His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives to address the rising prices of commodities, the government announced a package of measures that led to a drop in the prices of essential commodities, including 90-octane gas, diesel and kerosene.

On Saturday, the government said work is under way on amendments to legislation governing economic activities to tighten control of the market and enforce punishments on offenders.

But Saleh Armouti, former president of the Jordan Bar Association and an Islamist leader, said the government is to blame for this difficult situation and must go.

“We have seen deterioration in the economic situation. Foreign debt climbed to JD14 billion. The Parliament is shackled by nearly 48 temporary laws while people are not allowed to take part in decision making. The government must resign,” he told The Jordan Times during the demonstration.

Meanwhile, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported that Lower House Speaker Feisal Fayez requested to meet with organisers of the protest, but they refused.

"Our doors are always open for parties and professional associations to discuss various issues to serve the interests of our country,” Fayez told Petra.

He added that if the protest aimed at delivering a message from the Jordanian people to the Lower House, the protesters should have informed Parliament of their demands and suggestions regarding the economic crisis as MPs are the people’s representatives, according to Petra.

[Source]