AMMAN, Nov 22 (Reuters) – Jordan’s parliament began deliberations on Monday of proposed constitutional reforms that officials say revitalize the monarchy and are part of a drive to deliver on long promised political reforms. A royal committee appointed by King Abdullah drafted the proposals to try to modernize the country’s political system and revamp the existing political parties and elections law. “..It allows the leader of the country (king) to go towards party based governments,” he told the assembly. Some deputies also criticized the alterations to the kingdom’s constitution saying it also sidelined parliament and eroded successive governments’ executive powers. Other changes in the text seen by Reuters widen the representation of women and political parties in an expanded 138-member assembly.
