Amman, November 18 (Petra) – MP Ahmad Safadi was elected president of the Lower House of Parliament during its first regular session, securing 98 votes.

The election took place during a session on Monday evening, presided over by MP Mujhim Suqour, the oldest member of Parliament, and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and the Cabinet.

Alongside Safadi, MP Saleh Armouti also ran for the presidency, receiving 37 votes. Two ballots were left blank, and the session saw the participation of 137 MPs.

In his first speech after winning the presidency for the third consecutive time, Safadi emphasized that there are no opposing voices against the state within the Lower House, but rather voices that challenge government policies. He stated, "We will not accept nor allow the questioning of the nation’s achievements."

He further stressed, "Under this dome, and beyond it, there is no agenda other than Jordan’s interests, and no loyalty except to His Majesty King Abdullah II, the protector of the homeland and a steadfast supporter of Palestine and its people in the face of the brutal occupier."

Safadi expressed his pride in listening to the wisdom of His Majesty the King’s Speech from the Throne, underscoring that Jordan has always stood firm in support of the Palestinian cause. He remarked, "Jordan has never hesitated in supporting the nation's causes, particularly the Palestinian cause, and has always been at the forefront of defending it."

Safadi continued, "Today’s competition reflects the democratic spirit of the Lower House, where party and bloc dynamics are visible, yet the Council remains united, working together for the national interest. We may differ in our roles, but our goals remain the same Jordan, its King, its people, and its land are constants we hold dear."

He concluded, "Should the government earn the trust of the Lower House, we will work in full cooperation. The Speech from the Throne will guide us as we move forward to achieve national objectives and improve the citizens' living standards, maintaining a cooperative approach to the separation of powers."

//Petra// AJ

18/11/2024 17:42:26