His Majesty King Abdullah will inaugurate the first non-ordinary session of the 17th Parliament on Sunday.

The Speech from the Throne will open the new Parliament, following the January 23 elections and a Royal Decree that postponed the convening of the legislature from February 2 to February 10.

His Majesty is expected to highlight the priorities to be tackled by the government and the legislative authority, starting from political and economic reforms.

Following the Speech from the Throne, His Majesty will receive the newly elected deputies, in addition to the senators and members of the Cabinet, which is still in office in a caretaker capacity.

After their meeting with the King, senators will hold their first meeting, presided over by Taher Masri, to form a committee to draft their response to the Speech from the Throne.
 
Following the Senate meeting, the 149 MPs, one seat shy after a heart attack claimed Deputy Mohammad Mahseiri’s life, will meet in a separate session to elect the House speaker.
 
According to House bylaws, the first meeting is chaired by the eldest deputy, and the two youngest deputies will be appointed as speaker’s assistants, and will begin internal elections for members of the permanent office.
 
After the elections, the MPs will form a committee to respond to the Speech from the Throne, before electing members of the 14 Lower House committees.