New decree appoints 60 members of the new Jordanian Senate

Jordanian Senate Jordan’s political parties were busy with the new formation of the Senat, a decree was also issued appointing the 60 members of the new Senate. However, the most surprising thing was the decision, made by the Prime minister and the former head of the Jordanian intelligence, Ahmed Obaidat to give up his membership to a leader from the Muslim Brotherhood party.
Obaidat’s decision came after Taher Almasri, Senate President offered him a membership in the Jordanian senate.
A decree was issued on Tuesday dissolving the 60-member Upper House of Parliament as of October 25, 2011.
Taher Masri remained as the president of the Senate, according to another Royal Decree, a statement by the Royal Court said.
The new Senate includes seven women, three former premiers, including Masri, veteran statesmen, businessmen, academicians, and other members of the political, social and economic elite, according to the list.
The list shows that 18 members remained from the outgoing Senate. Several members of the Chamber have resigned over a new constitutional amendment that bars senators from holding dual nationalities.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah will today address the Parliament’s second ordinary session and outline in the Speech from the Throne the country’s comprehensive reform process and the upcoming stage.
Under the Constitution, the King summons Parliament to convene its ordinary session on October 1. However, he is entitled to postpone the session by a Royal Decree, provided that the postponement duration is no more than two months.
During the six-month session, parliamentarians are expected to examine political legislation after the government completes drafting them.
Following is the list of the members of the Senate:
1. Taher Masri
2. Fayez Tarawneh
3. Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh
4. Marouf Bakhit
5. Abdul Hadi Majali
6. Marwan Hmoud
7. Marwan Dudin
8. Rajai Muasher
9. Awad Khleifat
10. Ratib Wazani
11. Khaled Karaki
12. Abdullah Akaileh
13. Mohammad Sqour
14. Mohammad Odwan
15. Hisham Tal
16. Yousef Dalabeeh
17. Abdul Ilah Khatib
18. Aqel Biltaji
19. Bassam Omoush
20. Mohammad Wahsh
21. Wasef Azar
22. Nabih Shuqum
23. Daoud Hanania
24. Hammad Maaytah
25. Yousef Shraideh
26. Mustafa Fayyad
27. Wijdan Saket
28. Nawal Faouri
29. Jaafar Hneiti
30. Abdul Majeed Thneibat
31. Mahmoud Abbadi
32. Mazen Darwazeh
33. Mohammad Raqqad
34. Yousef Qusous
35. Mohammad Said Tarazi
36. Tawfiq Ejeilat
37. Mahmoud Shwayyat
38. Sami Khasawneh
39. Ali Abu Rabiha
40. Riyad Saifi
41. Samar Hajj Hassan
42. Haifaa Najjar
43. Michael Nazzal
44. Mohammad Shahwan
45. Mohammad Eid Bandagji
46. Laila Abu Hassan
47. Zaid Kilani
48. Hamzah Jardaneh
49. Mohammad Kreishan
50. Thallaj Thiyabat
51. Mohammad Azzam
52. Aminah Zu’bi
53. Khaled Abul Ezz
54. Khaled Abu Tayeh
55. Sanad Neimat
56. Ghazi Zaben
57. Mohammad Mour
58. Talal Madi
59. Sweilem Safian
60. Mohammad Hammad Said
On the other hand, political party leaders on Tuesday expressed pessimism about the new government’s ability to make substantial progress in the reform process, reiterating that actions, not words, will restore public trust in the government.
Opposition figures reiterated their persistent demands, expressed in the slogans they have raised in their months-long demonstrations, for an elected government and serious anti-corruption measures. They also called for new constitutional amendments stating that the people are the source of all authority.
“The new government did not bring any substantial change in the mechanism by which governments are formed. The government of Marouf Bakhit was asked to resign for its failure to respond to popular demands. This government is expected to meet the same fate,” Zaki Bani Rsheid, head of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) politburo, told The Jordan Times yesterday.
The IAF leader said that the Islamist movement, during its meeting with Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh last week, explained its vision of the desired reform and declined to take part in the government until it proves its willingness and ability to implement that vision.