Jordan’s King Abdullah has appointed Jafar Hassan, a key palace aide and former planning minister, as the new prime minister following the resignation of the government on Sunday. This change comes just days after a parliamentary election in which the Islamist opposition made notable gains.
Hassan, who currently heads the king’s office and is known for his expertise as a technocrat educated at Harvard, replaces Bisher Khasawneh. Khasawneh, a seasoned diplomat and former palace advisor, will remain in a caretaker role until the new cabinet is formed.
Hassan will need to address the economic impact of the Gaza war on Jordan, which has been struggling with reduced investment and a significant drop in tourism. The king’s appointment letter emphasized the need to strengthen democracy and advance major infrastructure projects in energy and water, which are supported by international donors.
The previous prime minister had aimed to implement reforms to reverse a decade of slow growth, exacerbated by the pandemic and regional conflicts. However, the conservative establishment has often resisted these reforms, fearing they might diminish their influence.
The recent election saw the Muslim Brotherhood and its allies, who support Hamas, gain 31 seats in parliament, the largest bloc since parliamentary life was restored in 1989. This shift reflects growing discontent with the government’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
Although the new parliament remains pro-government, the increased presence of the Islamist opposition could challenge ongoing IMF-backed economic reforms and the country’s foreign policy. Despite these changes, Jordan’s constitution grants the king substantial power, including the authority to appoint governments and dissolve parliament.
