The Lower House Monday elected Abdul Karim Doghmi as Speaker during parliament’s first ordinary session, which was inaugurated by His Majesty King Abdullah II with the speech from the throne.
Doghmi secured 64 votes in the 130-seat chamber, defeating his rival, MP Nassar Qaisi, who obtained 58 votes, and 8 ballots were canceled.
MP Ahmed Safadi won the post of first deputy speaker after the withdrawal of his sole rival, lawmaker Hussein Harasis, during the session, which was chaired by MP Nawaf Khawaldeh, the longest serving member of the house, and attended by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and cabinet ministers.
Addressing the lawmakers after the vote, Doghmi pledged to restore the key role of the House through amending the House’s bylaw on the powers of lawmakers, stressing cooperation with the government “within the framework of the constitution,” and to deal with the outputs of the royal committee to modernize the political system in “a professional and serious manner.”
The new head of the legislature thanked His Majesty King Abdullah for opening the first ordinary session and delivering the speech from the throne, which will guide the authorities to raise performance, adding “we will be of help and support for your government in implementing its programmes for the advancement of the nation.”
He commended His Majesty’s leadership for overcoming crises and forestalling sedition and emphasising the need to find a solution to the Palestinian issue, which safeguards the Palestinian people’s right to set up an independent state with Jerusalem as it capital. He also noted the King’s emphasis on solving the Syrian crisis and ending the armed conflict and terrorism in the country.
The Prime Minister congratulated Doghmi for “the confidence” of the House members, wishing him success.
He said the speech from the throne is a roadmap that sets priorities, which require that “we all work together to achieve the aspirations of our people and our Hashemite leadership.”
Khasawneh said the government will form a committee to move forward with the administrative reform process, calling for avoiding “self-lashing” and working to accumulate achievements through cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities to advance the country as envisioned by His Majesty.
The House will choose the head, deputy and two aides of its permanent office during an evening session.
Source: Jordan News Agency