Jordanian diplomat Bisher Al Khasawneh faces hard challenges as prime minister
Veteran diplomat Bisher Al Khasawneh faces tough policy decisions after being appointed by King Abdullah II to head Jordan’s next government, experts said.
Mr Al Khasawneh, 51, who previously served as the king’s policy adviser, assumes the prime minister’s post after the resignation of Omar Razzaz’s government on October 3 in preparation for parliamentary elections next month.
The western-educated diplomat, who holds a doctorate in law from the London School of Economics, also takes on the challenge of boosting the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused a global downturn.
Mr Al Khasawneh has extensive experience in forging relations with regional and international states during his time as foreign minister and as a peace negotiator with Israel. But he now needs to form a cabinet of ministers qualified to tackle the country’s pressing problems.
Addressing Jordan’s economic challenges will be Mr Al Khasawneh’s toughest task, especially as the pandemic has hit the country hard, Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, told The National.
“The economic situation is exceptionally tough, with the economy set to shrink by 6 per cent this year, with unemployment just under 25 per cent,” Mr Doyle said.
Jordan also has to host large numbers of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, he said.
If the prime minister fails
to address key concerns then Jordanians will “struggle to keep their jobs and feed their families whilst simultaneously having to stomach severe constraints on their everyday lives and freedoms”, Mr Doyle said.
Mr Razzaz faced increasing criticism of the way his government dealt with the pandemic and for his failure to tackle corruption.
He was appointed in 2018 to quell public anger after austerity measures to win International Monetary Fund support sparked anti-government protests across the country.
After successfully containing the initial outbreak of Covid-19, Jordan is facing an increase in infections during a time of rising public frustration over deteriorating economic conditions and curbs on public freedoms under emergency laws enacted to contain the coronavirus.
The country has recorded 21,517 cases and 144 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Its health authorities have issued a warning that the kingdom may be forced to impose more closures or a full lockdown should the number of cases continue to surge.
Mr Al Khasawneh’s first job will be to oversee parliamentary elections due on November 10.
King Abdullah dissolved parliament last month at the end of its four-year term, requiring Mr Razzaz’s government to resign under the provisions of the constitution.
The king said he hoped the new government would improve the country’s ability to fight the coronavirus.
“The formation of this government comes at an exceptional time,” King Abdullah said, referring to the fast spread of the coronavirus.
He said the new government should boost the capacity of the healthcare system, which doctors fear could collapse if community spread gets out of control.