Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07AMMAN528
2007-02-06 07:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
LOWER HOUSE ENDORSES MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
how-toVZCZCXRO8927 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAM #0528 0370722 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060722Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6812 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
UNCLAS AMMAN 000528
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMCA KDEM JO
SUBJECT: LOWER HOUSE ENDORSES MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
BILL
UNCLAS AMMAN 000528
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMCA KDEM JO
SUBJECT: LOWER HOUSE ENDORSES MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
BILL
1. (SBU) Jordan's lower house of parliament, the Chamber of
Deputies, endorsed the government's municipal government
reform bill. If also approved by the Senate and the King,
the bill will lead to municipal elections in early summer.
During the debate, Prime Minister Bakhit announced that his
government intends to hold municipal elections in the middle
of this year.
2. (SBU) The bill provides that in all municipalities except
Amman, the central government will appoint two council
members, while the rest will be elected. (Note: With the
exception of Amman (with a 40-member council, most municipal
councils range in size from 10 to 24 members. The Aqaba
Special Economic Zone and Petra Regional Authorities do not
fall under the municipalities law and will continue to have
appointed commissioners. End note.) A quota provision
guarantees women at least 20 percent of council seats in each
locality. Outside Amman, all mayors will be elected. MPs
also endorsed a committee amendment that each council appoint
-- subject to the Municipalities Minister's confirmation --
the professional municipal manager who will serve alongside
each mayor. The original government draft provided for
simple appointment by the Minister.
3. (SBU) The bill now goes to parliament's upper house,the
Senate.
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
HALE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMCA KDEM JO
SUBJECT: LOWER HOUSE ENDORSES MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
BILL
1. (SBU) Jordan's lower house of parliament, the Chamber of
Deputies, endorsed the government's municipal government
reform bill. If also approved by the Senate and the King,
the bill will lead to municipal elections in early summer.
During the debate, Prime Minister Bakhit announced that his
government intends to hold municipal elections in the middle
of this year.
2. (SBU) The bill provides that in all municipalities except
Amman, the central government will appoint two council
members, while the rest will be elected. (Note: With the
exception of Amman (with a 40-member council, most municipal
councils range in size from 10 to 24 members. The Aqaba
Special Economic Zone and Petra Regional Authorities do not
fall under the municipalities law and will continue to have
appointed commissioners. End note.) A quota provision
guarantees women at least 20 percent of council seats in each
locality. Outside Amman, all mayors will be elected. MPs
also endorsed a committee amendment that each council appoint
-- subject to the Municipalities Minister's confirmation --
the professional municipal manager who will serve alongside
each mayor. The original government draft provided for
simple appointment by the Minister.
3. (SBU) The bill now goes to parliament's upper house,the
Senate.
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
HALE