On 10 September, Jordan held general elections to choose 138 members of its House of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament. A total of 1,623 candidates ran for these seats, 23.4 per cent of which were women. The Islamic Action Front (IAF) emerged as the leading party, securing 31 seats. The National Charter Party (Al-Mithaq Al-Watani) followed with 21 seats, while the Eradah Party and the Progress Party (Taqadum) won 19 and 8 seats, respectively. Twenty-seven seats (19.6 per cent) went to women, of which 18 were allocated through the quota system. This marks an increase from the previous election, where only 11.5 per cent of seats were held by women. Voter turnout was 32.3 per cent, marking a slight increase from 29.9 per cent in the previous 2020 parliamentary election. Electoral observers found Jordan's election day calm and orderly, but noted gaps in campaign finance, media transparency and low voter interest, as well as concerns over the exclusion of candidates from observing the tabulation process.

Sources: The Jordan Times (1), The Jordan Times (2), EU Election Observation Mission

In the legislative elections held on 7 September, 107 of the 138 seats in Jordan’s House of Representatives were won by 10 political parties, while the remaining seats were won by independents. This marks a significant shift from the 2020 elections, where independents held 100 out of 130 seats. The change follows electoral reforms implemented in 2022, aimed at increasing party representation. The most notable success was achieved by the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, which won 31 seats (28.3 per cent of the vote)—their highest tally since 1989, and a substantial increase from five seats in the last 2020 election. Although no party gained a majority and most Jordanian political parties remain weak, the new parliamentary composition shifts away from the traditional dominance of independent and tribal candidates toward greater party representation.

Sources: The Jordan Times, Al Jazeera, Al Araby Al Jadeed, Arab Reform Initiative

In the legislative elections held on 7 September, women secured 27 out of 138 parliamentary seats, accounting for 19.6 percent of the total. This marks an increase from the previous election, where women obtained 11.5 percent of the seats, and represents the highest number of women representatives ever in Jordan's House of Representatives. The increase follows electoral reforms introduced in 2022. Two key changes in the new electoral law, implemented for the first time in this election, helped reach this outcome. First, the quota of reserved seats for women was increased, allocating 18 out of the 97 local electoral district seats—one per district—to women. Additionally, the new law required political parties to include women in their candidate lists for the remaining 41 national-level seats, with at least two women in the top six positions. These changes, coupled with an increase in party representation, have successfully facilitated the election of more women to the new parliament.

Sources: The Jordan Times, Al Araby Al Jadeed, Independent Arabia, IFES, IPU Parline

Recent developments in Jordan have seen an escalation in actions against pro-Palestinian activists, with a notable increase in arrests and harassment since October. This crackdown has extended to those participating in demonstrations or engaging in online advocacy for Palestine. A significant aspect of this repression is the application of a new, controversial cybercrime law, which critics argue has been leveraged to prosecute activists and suppress dissent.  Similarly, a recent investigation revealed that numerous political activists, journalists, and human rights lawyers were targeted by the government and had their mobile devices compromised by sophisticated spyware. Several rights organizations have documented these actions and raised concerns over the growing repression and constraints on essential freedoms of expression and assembly. These measures have raised alarms about the broader implications for civil liberties in Jordan, highlighting a troubling trend toward limiting public discourse and political activism.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, International IDEA, Access Now, Al Monitor

On 27 July, Jordan's parliament passed a controversial cybercrime law which was subsequently ratified by King Abdullah II on 12 August. The legislation has received widespread criticism from opposition MPs, several rights groups, legal experts, and journalists, who argue it undermines free speech and independent journalism. The new law criminalizes certain online activities and imposes penalties for content considered harmful to national unity. Following the implementation of the law, a prominent journalist was sentenced to prison over a Facebook post expressing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the demonstrations against fuel prices in late 2022, contributing further to concerns over shrinking civic space and restricted press freedom in Jordan.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, Human Rights Watch, Al Quds, International Press Institute, Middle East Monitor

The rising fuel prices that have added to the cost-of-living challenges in Jordan sparked anti-government demonstrations across the kingdom. Road closures initiated by truck drivers demanding a reduction in the price of diesel fuel escalated into country-wide riots that lasted for several weeks. Deadly clashes erupted in multiple cities between protestors and police, with the killing of four policemen, in some of the worst unrest Jordan has witnessed in many years. Many Jordanians took to social media to share videos from the strike and attacks by the police on civilians. Amid heightened tensions, the government disrupted internet services and banned TikTok.  Jordan’s Public Security Directorate announced a “temporary suspension” of the social media platform under the pretext of inciting violence and disorder. 

Sources: Al Bawaba News, Anadolu Agency, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, Jordan News, Jordanian Public Security Directorate