jordan pulse -

The results of the 2024 elections came as a surprise to many political analysts, with the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, achieving a sweeping victory, while other traditional parties failed to secure notable results. The pressing question is: why did the Muslim Brotherhood win the most votes, and why did other parties fall short?

The Muslim Brotherhood benefited from several key factors, primarily their cohesive organisation and ability to reach grassroots support. They have a well-established party structure and have worked to improve their image in recent years, particularly after the political changes in the region. They also successfully exploited the country’s difficult economic situation, offering populist solutions and appealing to voters from less privileged backgrounds.

Their campaign focused on a socio-religious discourse intertwined with economic promises, pledging to bring about social justice and improve economic conditions. While other parties failed to offer realistic programmes addressing citizens’ needs, the Muslim Brotherhood’s organisational prowess and clear platform captured the public’s attention.

The recent events in Gaza also played a significant role in shaping the Jordanian elections. In the months leading up to the elections, a devastating war on Palestinians by the Israeli occupation deeply influenced the public mood in Jordan. Jordan, with its strong ties to the Palestinian cause—half of its citizens being of Palestinian origin—was greatly affected by these events, which was clearly reflected in the elections.

The Gaza crisis strengthened feelings of solidarity with the Palestinian cause among the Jordanian public, a sentiment the Muslim Brotherhood capitalised on in their electoral campaigns. The Palestinian issue has long been a part of the Islamic Action Front’s political narrative, and they leveraged the rising public anger over Israeli aggression, positioning themselves as the strongest voice defending Palestinian rights and standing against injustice.

This surge in solidarity with Gaza also impacted other parties, which failed to take strong stances on the Palestinian issue or focused too narrowly on domestic issues without adequately addressing Palestinian concerns. As a result, some parties struggled to gain public support, as voters were eager to hear voices defending major causes, especially amid the escalating events in Gaza.

The Gaza events reshaped the political priorities of Jordanian voters, as internal issues were no longer the sole focus of the elections. National and regional issues played a significant role in directing votes towards parties that embraced a platform of greater solidarity with the Palestinian people. Despite Jordan's immense economic pressures, the Palestinian cause emerged as a key factor in shaping voters' choices.

This blending of domestic and foreign policy was a decisive factor in the Muslim Brotherhood’s victory. They managed to connect the economic hardships faced by citizens with the Gaza events, offering a comprehensive vision that bolstered their position among the masses.

On the other hand, traditional parties in Jordan suffer from weak organisational structures and a lack of effective communication with the public. Many parties lack a genuine grassroots base and fail to present a unified vision beyond the personal interests of their leaders. Moreover, these parties have struggled to address the worsening economic and social crises, leading to a decline in public trust.

The elections also revealed a real crisis in the internal structure of these parties, with the absence of charismatic leadership capable of motivating voters, leaving them unable to present truly competitive programmes.

It is worth noting that this election was marked by unprecedented transparency, thanks to the efforts of the Independent Election Commission. The commission ensured transparency and integrity at all stages of the electoral process, from voter registration to the announcement of results. The elections were also subject to comprehensive local and international monitoring, which further enhanced public confidence in the democratic process.

This transparency sent a strong message to all political actors: the field is open for fair competition, and the real winner is the one who can convince the Jordanian public with their platform and vision.