King Abdullah II of Jordan has appointed Jaafar Hassan, a former Planning Minister and the King’s office director, to form a new government.
This decision follows the resignation of Jordan’s Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh’s cabinet, as confirmed by the Royal Hashemite Court.
Jaafar Hassan, aged 56, brings a rich background in international relations and economics to the table.
He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Economics from the University of Geneva, along with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University and in International Relations from Boston University.
Hassan’s educational journey also includes a Bachelor’s degree from the American University in Paris.
Hassan’s prior governmental roles include serving as the Minister of Planning and as the Deputy Ambassador and Chargé d’Affaires at the Jordanian Embassy in Washington D.C. from 2001 to 2006.
His diplomatic career began in the 1990s with the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.
The official statement also noted that King Abdullah accepted the resignation of Al-Khasawneh’s government on Sunday.
The outgoing administration was tasked with managing daily affairs until the new cabinet was officially formed and operational.
This change in Jordan’s leadership aligns with the tradition that follows parliamentary elections, which occur every four years, prompting the sitting government to resign.
The move allows the monarch to appoint a new prime minister to establish a fresh government, poised to address the kingdom’s upcoming challenges and opportunities.
In the recent elections, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the main Islamist party and a political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, secured 31 out of 138 seats, marking its strongest performance since 1989.
Despite a low voter turnout of 32%, the IAF’s success is attributed to growing voter dissatisfaction with economic challenges and Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
