Jordan’s Islamic Action Front made significant gains in the recent parliamentary election, with preliminary results showing increased support fueled by widespread anger over Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Islamist Action Front (IAF) secured up to 20% of the seats.
The Islamic Action Front is an Islamist political party in Jordan. It is the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan. Founded in 1992 with 350 members, Engineer Ahmed Azaida, Dr. Ishaq Al-Farhan and Dr. Abdul Latif Arabiyat were the main force behind the formation.
Wael al Saqqa, head of the IAF, expressed gratitude to voters, stating, “The Jordanian people have entrusted us with their vote. This new phase increases the party’s responsibility towards the nation and its citizens.”
The IAF’s success was aided by a new electoral law promoting a greater role for political parties in Jordan’s 138-seat parliament, although tribal and pro-government factions continue to hold sway.
The IAF’s win has brought them 31 seats, marking the largest presence for the party in parliament since its revival in 1989. In the previous elections, the IAF held 10 seats in 2020 and 16 seats in 2016.
Jordan’s anti-Israel sentiment, heightened by the conflict in Gaza, contributed to the IAF’s success, as the party has led major protests in support of Palestine. Musa Maaytah, chairman of the Independent Election Commission, noted that the IAF’s rise reflects Jordan’s commitment to “political pluralism.”
The election is part of a broader democratization effort spearheaded by King Abdullah, aimed at insulating Jordan from regional conflicts and accelerating political reforms.
Voter turnout, however, was low, with only 32.25% of Jordan’s 5.1 million eligible voters participating, a slight increase from the 29% turnout in 2020.
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