On May 31, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its Amman Office Chief Bassam Bdareen: “What is truly happening in Jordan? An unexpected figure has become the prime minister of a fat-free government, the royal succession institution is becoming more present, and a incomprehensible escalation is being practiced towards the Muslim Brotherhood group, which previously proposed to help with the succession file. Also, preparations are underway to hold elections a few months ahead of time, following the stormy ratification of a new electoral law that toppled the one-man one-vote system, in parallel to the introduction of constitutional amendments protecting the prerogatives of the royal institution in the future, as a prelude for a parliamentary majority government.

“And although clear hints were made surrounding the fact that Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki’s government will be temporary, and that it will hold the elections and remain in power for a transitional period, the royal assignment of the man, who is very passionate about alternative energy projects, points to the fact that it will be a “long-term government,” as noted by veteran politician, activist and former Minister Muhammad Dawoodiya. Indeed, had Al-Mulki’s government been transitional, it would not have been tasked to assume large and important files that require years to handle, namely the country’s move towards decentralization after the elections, the attraction of big investments in the transport and energy sectors, and the activation of tourism... In any case, everyone in Jordan is wondering what is happening.

“And this question is being asked by the elite before the public, and by domestic observers before foreign ones. Even regarding the escalation with the MB, prominent leader Murad Adaileh wondered before Al-Quds al-Arabi: “We do not know whether or not the regime truly wants us to participate in the elections?” According to Adaileh, the executive and parliamentary institutions were stripped of their content by the recent constitutional amendments, which rendered the new parliament without a role or real prerogatives. Hence, no one wants to be part of it or part of the executive authorities. But what is new at this level is that puzzlement towards this “drainage” is not limited to Adaileh and his companions among the MB sheikhs, as similar questions are being asked from time to time by prominent figures, such as Abdul Ra’uf ar-Rawabdeh and Taher al-Masry among others...

“At this level, Al-Quds al-Arabi directly heard a highly knowledgeable source talking about a “new royal strategy” in adopting decisions and putting forward initiatives, in light of the conviction that the initiatives and visions were deficient, were not being implemented correctly, or were being distorted upon reaching the executive level. As a result, the Royal institution is relying less on the existing officials and focusing more on activating things from the outside..., which would explain the fast Royal pace at the level of large and important projects, which were consecutively activated within weeks..., but also the dual official discourse and the elite’s lack of information...”