From inside Parliament: Government expected to secure confidence vote

The 20th House of Representatives will proceed on Wednesday with its discussions on Jafar Hassan's government's policy statement.

The debates will take place in two sessions, morning and evening, under the parliamentary dome, with the government’s ministerial team attending.

This marks the third consecutive day of discussions, with members of parliament (MPs) addressing key points of the government’s confidence statement. While some criticized its content, others praised it, and a few resorted to repeating slogans that Jordanians have grown weary of hearing over the years.

Over the past two days, 85 MPs, including three parliamentary blocs, have discussed the policy statement. The discussions extensively highlighted Jordan's efforts to support the people of Gaza, while some MPs called for improved conditions in their constituencies and better delivery of services to their electoral bases.

Debate sessions were not without controversy. Speaker of the House, Ahmad Al-Safadi, warned MPs who fail to attend sessions without a valid excuse, demanding the application of internal rules to track "attendance and absence" at the beginning of each session.

Safadi's remarks coincided with the absence of 68 MPs from the response sessions on the government’s confidence statement.

The Speaker also emphasized enforcing a ban on smoking inside the parliamentary dome, urging members to vote on expelling any MP who smokes during sessions.

Smoking in closed spaces is a legal violation, as stipulated in Article 53 of the Public Health Law No. 47 of 2008 and its amendments:

Smoking tobacco products in public places is prohibited, except in designated areas approved by the Minister upon the recommendation of the relevant health official, provided public health and safety are maintained, and the location is clearly marked in Arabic.

According to Article 63 of the same law:

Anyone who smokes tobacco products in prohibited public places shall face imprisonment for no less than one month and no more than three months, or a fine of no less than JD 100 and no more than JD 200.

 - Continuing the debate -

On Wednesday, 53 MPs are set to discuss the government’s confidence statement, starting with a session at 10:00 AM.

The House is preparing to hold a vote on granting or withholding confidence from the government if discussions conclude during Wednesday’s sessions. If deliberations are not completed, a vote is expected to take place in a session on Thursday.

 - Will the government gain confidence? -

Despite some criticism of the government’s plans by a number of MPs, a larger number commended certain decisions and welcomed the confidence statement.

Informed sources told Roya that the government is expected to gain the confidence of Safadi and his colleagues through a majority vote, facing no significant challenges despite some MPs hinting at the possibility of withholding confidence.

Sources close to the parliamentary dome revealed that the government is likely to secure more than 90 votes in favor of granting confidence.

 - How many votes does the government need? -

To gain confidence, the government must secure the absolute majority of MPs' votes, which is at least half of the House members plus one (70 MPs), as per Article 53 of the Constitution.

The House's internal rules stipulate that MPs must respond during confidence votes with one of three words: "Confidence," "Withhold," or "Abstain."

Voting is conducted by calling out members’ names, as stipulated in Article 47/A of the House's internal regulations, which states:

"If the vote pertains to the Constitution or a confidence vote for the government or any minister, votes must be cast by calling out members' names and voting aloud."