Jordan protests: what are they about?

King replaces prime minister in bid to
diffuse anti-austerity demonstrations

One-Minute Read

King Abdullah has asked former World Bank economist Omar
al-Razzaz to form a new government after Hani Mulki resigned as
prime minister following the country’s biggest demonstrations in
years.

In Jordan, “the monarch has extensive powers and can appoint
governments and approve legislation”, says the BBC.

What caused the protests?

Planned tax hikes and the abolition of bread subsidies have
brought thousands of people out onto the streets over the past
week, in a rare show of public defiance in a country that has
remained relatively stable through years of regional turmoil.

Security forces have detained 60 people for breaking the law
during the protests and 42 security force members had been injured,
but police say protests remained under control.

Why are taxes rising?

Reuters says Jordan’s economy has “struggled to
grow in the past few years in the face of chronic deficits, as
private foreign capital and aid flows have declined”.

The government claims it needs more funds for public services
but opponents says the tough IMF-imposed fiscal consolidation plan
has worsened the plight of poorer Jordanians and squeezed the
middle class.

What happens next?

A general strike has been called for Wednesday, but in a sign
the tax hikes could be shelved, the Petra news agency said
lawmakers were planning to ask the king’s permission to hold an
exceptional session in which a majority were expected to call on
the changes be withdrawn.