His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday said that 2012 should end with major reform achievements: a modern and highly representative elections law, national elections and a Lower House of Parliament with partisan orientations, leading to parliamentary governments.

His Majesty was speaking at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the World Affairs Council (WAC), an Amman-based think-tank that was established in 1977.

“This year, the reform roadmap is dominated by three clear endgame goals: holding free and fair parliamentary elections under a law allowing for the highest degree of representation, so that the outcome would be a new Lower House with partisan orientations, leading to representative parliamentary governments.”

His Majesty emphasised that everyone is called upon to participate as partners in the reform process: the people as voters, political parties as competing political forces, and the legislative, judicial and executive branches as the authorities concerned with legislation, administration and supervision of the reform process.

“Achieving reforms will protect Jordan against the chaos and instability witnessed by many around us in the region. The country will then set a model of home-grown, evolutionary and reform-based transformation,” he added.

King Abdullah underlined the pivotal role the World Affairs Council can play in this stage, urging the think-tank to launch a dialogue aimed at entrenching partisan and electoral culture and revitalise partisan work and political action on the basis of modern platforms.
His Majesty expressed appreciation for the think-tank’s efforts to serve Jordan and its future, and to serve as an advocate for the Palestinian cause, which, he pointed out, is the Arabs’ foremost cause.
“In this context, it should be emphasised that justice for the Palestinians requires a comprehensive solution leading to an independent and viable Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil.”

World Affairs Council President Abdul Salam Majali highlighted in his remarks the “Jordanian Spring”, referring to the reforms championed by the King as a unique model at the regional level.
 “This is how the spring of nations should be, a revolution against oppression, corruption, discrimination, suppression of freedom of expression, violations of freedoms and abuse of rights,” Majali said.
“It is a revolution against poverty and deprivation based on constructive action, reform, freedom, justice, security, peace and national unity,” said Majali, a veteran politician, former premier and education leader.