Jordanian Prime Minister Resigns Following Election Gains By Islamist Opposition

Jordan’s Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh resigned on Sunday, just days after parliamentary elections showed significant gains for the Islamist opposition. Jaafar Hassan, the current head of King Abdullah’s office and a former planning minister, is expected to succeed Khasawneh.

Hassan faces the task of addressing the economic fallout from the Gaza conflict, which has affected investment and tourism in Jordan. Khasawneh’s resignation comes amid efforts to implement reforms aimed at reversing the kingdom’s prolonged economic stagnation, exacerbated by the pandemic and regional conflicts.

The recent elections highlighted the growing influence of the Islamist opposition, including factions aligned with Hamas, amidst rising discontent over the Gaza war. While the new parliament still maintains a pro-government majority, the increased presence of Islamist voices may pose challenges to IMF-led economic reforms and impact Jordan’s foreign policy.