jordan pulse -

The content presented by media personality Shadi Al-Zinati with parliamentary figures on his podcast through Rum News Agency provides a rich material for observers of public affairs. It offers free and spontaneous answers regarding challenges across all authorities, touching on sensitive issues that concern both the nation and the citizens. The program highlights flaws and gaps within institutions and officials, whether they are members of parliament or ministers in the government of Prime Minister Jafar Hassan. It also tackles hot topics such as the evaluation of political parties, the mismanagement of the investment file, the weak oversight performance of the House of Representatives, and the role of "black money" in forming its membership. Additionally, it evaluates the performance of PM Jafar Hassan in addressing poverty and unemployment.
​Interviews outside the official parliamentary framework sincerely expose flaws within national institutions and explore available remedies. The dialogue of MP Firas Al-Qablan, who is often described as "frequently breaking ranks during sessions," reveals a bold representative who refrains from complimenting the government at the expense of the citizens. This approach has earned him respect within the public sphere and his electoral base in Irbid. Al-Qablan transparently relays the struggles of citizens, attributing his perspective to his own background stemming from hardship and marginalization. Despite his dissatisfaction with the performance of the current parliament, he maintains his belief in the power of the word under the dome.
​If Al-Qablan's statement to the Speaker of the House of Representatives—"You have weakened us before the government"—is accurate, it serves as a critical indicator of flaws associated with the council's leadership, which diminish its prestige and legislative and oversight roles. True political reform requires a democratic Speaker who understands the reform process and cooperates with colleagues to allow adequate oversight sessions.
​Judging the performance of the current 20th House of Representatives was a central theme of the discussion. Al-Qablan concluded that the legislative oversight role is not performing as required, pointing out that out of a thousand questions submitted to the government, only a limited number received answers. This reflects an imbalance between the legislative and executive branches. Regarding the role of political parties within the current council, Al-Qablan believes that apart from the Islamic Action Front, parties remain marginalized and have not elevated their performance during legal debates. Similarly, parliamentary blocs have not yet formed an effective pressure force, leading Al-Qablan to describe the current party and bloc landscape within the 20th council with the phrase: "Each sings to his own tune."
​Concerning public dissatisfaction with the parliament's general performance, Al-Qablan blames voters for failing to elect qualified candidates, emphasizing the influence of "black money" in bringing a majority of members to the chamber to serve personal interests rather than reform. He also criticized the internal administration of the parliament, calling for a resolution regarding 35 consultants who receive salaries without performing active work.
​Leveraging his economic background, Al-Qablan stressed the vital importance of investment to overcome the current difficult economic reality. He criticized the investment climate in the country, pointing to obstacles such as continuously changing regulations, heavy taxation, bureaucratic corruption, and overlapping authorities, advocating instead for a single-window system to manage investments. He called for developing peripheral areas in the north and south that faced past marginalization due to the historical concentration of development in the capital, Amman. He explicitly criticized the government of Jafar Hassan, stating that it has not advanced investment and has yet to effectively address unemployment.
​Al-Qablan analyzed the current government by describing PM Jafar Hassan as a strong, professional, and technical figure, though not a political one. He noted that the Prime Minister is honest and does not make impossible promises because he understands the country's capabilities, but urged him to think outside the box to jobs and projects. Al-Qablan expressed dissatisfaction with uncooperative ministers, citing the Minister of Water and Irrigation as an example. He emphasized that the crisis of trust between citizens and the state can only be resolved by bold leadership capable of eradicating corruption. He criticized the majority of officials who prioritize retaining their positions over public service, noting a phenomenon where officials begin criticizing the state only after leaving office.
​Rum News Agency