Freezing Parliamentary Life and Formation of Advisory National Councils (1974-1984)
Political Context
Jordanian parliamentary life faced a critical juncture due to the 1967 war and the occupation of the West Bank, as well as the prevailing Arab and international conditions at that time. The decision of the Arab Summit Conference held in Rabat from October 26 to 29, 1974, to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and approve the establishment of a Palestinian government in the West Bank after the end of Israeli occupation, compelled Jordan to suspend parliamentary life on November 23, 1974, following the dissolution of the ninth parliament. However, on February 4, 1976, a royal decree was issued calling for an extraordinary session of the ninth parliament to amend the constitution, specifically Article 73. Subsequently, on February 7, 1976, after the amendment of Article 73, another royal decree was issued dissolving the House of Representatives effective February 7, 1976.
As a result, Jordan sought a new mechanism to fill the constitutional void, leading to a royal decree by the late King Hussein bin Talal in April 1978 to establish the National Advisory Council. His Majesty emphasized in the royal mandate to the government that the creation of this council was not a substitute for the complete electoral parliamentary life, which would be resumed when the actual conditions permitted.
National Advisory Council
Council Presidency
The President of the National Advisory Council is appointed by His Majesty the King through a royal decree, with the presidency lasting for two years, the same as the council’s term.
Composition of the National Advisory Council
The National Advisory Council was initially established under Temporary Law No. 17 of 1978 with 60 members. The number of members increased to 75 under the amended Law No. 25 of 1982. Members are appointed by royal decree on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Council Term
The term of the council is two years, after which it is reconstituted according to the law. The King may dissolve the council at any time, dismiss any member, or accept their resignation
Council Meetings
The council is convened by its President, with the first session held within a week of the appointment of its members. The President must inform the Prime Minister and ministers of the council’s meeting schedule, allowing them to attend and participate in discussions, though non-members of the council (ministers) do not have voting rights. If there is a need to convene the council before the scheduled date, the President may call a meeting at their discretion. The council sets the date and duration of its annual recess, and the President must inform the Prime Minister accordingly.
Quorum for Council Sessions
A session is considered legal if at least two-thirds of the members are present at its opening. The session remains legal if it continues with the presence of a simple majority. Decisions are made by a majority of the votes of the members present, except for the President, who casts a tie-breaking vote if necessary.
National Advisory Council Bureau
The Bureau of the National Advisory Council consists of the President and two Vice Presidents elected by the members in the council’s first meeting through separate secret ballots.
Council Committees:
The council forms the following committees from among its members, with each member allowed to serve on no more than two committees:
- Legal Committee.
- Financial and Administrative Committee.
- Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Social and Educational Committee.
- Any other committee deemed necessary by the council.
Powers of the National Advisory Council
The council has the following powers:
- Study and discuss all draft laws, providing opinions and advice to the Cabinet before approval. Draft laws are referred to the council by the Prime Minister.
- Provide opinions and advice to the Cabinet on any draft law or recommend the cancellation or amendment of existing laws.
- Discuss and provide opinions and advice to the Cabinet on matters related to the general policy of the state. Members have the right to seek clarifications from the Prime Minister and relevant ministers on any such matters.
- Provide opinions and advice to the Cabinet on issues related to public services and facilities, with members having the right to seek clarifications from relevant ministers.
- The Audit Bureau submits a general report to the council, including its opinions, observations, and statements on violations and liabilities within six months of the end of the fiscal year, and whenever requested by the council.
Council’s Oversight Tools
- Inquiries: Members may ask questions about unknown matters, seek verification of known facts, or inquire about the government’s intentions on issues related to public services and facilities.
- Suggestions: Members have the right to submit suggestions in writing to the council’s presidency, which will present them to the council in its first session for referral to the relevant body or committee or to take appropriate action.
- Request for Discussion: At least ten members and the government can request the discussion of a general topic for debate between the government and the council.
- Petitions from Citizens: Any Jordanian citizen has the right to submit a petition to the council regarding personal matters or public affairs.
The National Advisory Council’s mission was to advise and consult the executive authority, discuss public policy, review all legislation and laws enacted by the government, and consider the state’s public policy within the framework of cooperation between the government and in the spirit of public interest. During this period, three councils were formed.
01The First National Advisory Council
The First National Advisory Council was formed on April 20, 1978, and continued until April 20, 1980. The council was chaired by His Excellency Ahmad Al-Lawzi, and its members included:
His Excellency Ahmad Al-Lawzi
Her Excellency Nayla Al-Rashdan
His Excellency Wasfi Mirza
His Excellency Abdullah Al-Rimawi
His Excellency Abdul Wahab Al-Majali
His Excellency Kamal Al-Dajani
His Excellency Dr. Khalil Al-Salem
His Excellency Radi Al-Abdallah
His Excellency Abdul Majid Hijazi
His Excellency Engineer Jaafar Al-Shami
His Excellency Dr. Yacoub Abu Ghosh
His Excellency Abdul Majid Al-Sharida
His Excellency Dr. Isaac Al-Farhan
His Excellency Jamal Abdul Karim Abu Baqar
His Excellency Engineer Ahmad Al-Shoubki
His Excellency Marwan Al-Hmoud
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Rabee
His Excellency Suleiman Arar
His Excellency Abdul Raouf Al-Rawabdeh
His Excellency Engineer Ali Al-Suhaimat
His Excellency Nayef Al-Khreisha
His Excellency Hamada Al-Fawaz
His Excellency Salman Al-Qudaat
His Excellency Jumaa Hamad
His Excellency Joudat Al-Muhaysin
His Excellency Atta Allah Al-Kabareti
His Excellency Khaled Al-Fayyad
His Excellency Ali Al-Bashir
His Excellency Naeem Al-Tal
His Excellency Suleiman Al-Ratima
His Excellency Salem Bin Najad
His Excellency Nayef Al-Saad
His Excellency Saeed Al-Ghazzawi
His Excellency Mamdouh Al-Sarayrah
His Excellency Mohammed Ali Bdeir
His Excellency Walid Asfour
His Excellency Dr. Zohair Malhas
His Excellency Amin Shaqir
His Excellency Dr. Carlos Damas
His Excellency Mahmoud Al-Sharif
His Excellency Dr. Jamal Al-Sha'ar
His Excellency Dr. Mofaq Al-Fawaz
Her Excellency Inam Al-Mufti
His Excellency Taher Hikmat
His Excellency Hayel Abu Bariz
His Excellency Shafiq Al-Zawaideh
His Excellency Shamseddin Othman Tash
Her Excellency Widad Boulos
His Excellency Sultan Majed Al-Adwan
His Excellency Abdullah Akhuwarshid
His Excellency Hammad Ali Al-Ma'ayta
His Excellency Dr. Issa Al-Qassous
His Excellency Joddat Al-Sabool
His Excellency Khalaf Abu Nweir
His Excellency Sami Hassan Mansour
His Excellency Mohammed Younis Al-Izza
His Excellency Mohammed Khalil Khattab
His Excellency Mohammed Al-Farhan Al-Obeidat
His Excellency Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Tarawneh
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Adoub Al-Zaben
Amendments to the Council:
- A royal decree was issued accepting the resignation of His Excellency Dr. Isaac Al-Farhan from the National Advisory Council effective September 15, 1978.
- A royal decree was issued accepting the resignation of Nayef Al-Khreisha from the National Advisory Council effective April 25, 1978.
- A royal decree was issued appointing Barakat Al-Zuhair as a member of the National Advisory Council effective May 28, 1978.
- A royal decree was issued accepting the resignation of His Excellency Jaafar Al-Shami from the National Advisory Council effective March 6, 1979.
- A royal decree was issued appointing Ahmad Al-Tarawneh as the President of the National Advisory Council effective December 20, 1979.
- A royal decree was issued appointing His Excellency Maheeb Al-Khayat and Darwish Sayel Al-Shahwan as members effective March 20, 1979.
02The Second National Advisory Council
This council was established on April 20, 1980, and continued until April 20, 1982. It was chaired by His Excellency Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Tarawneh, and its members included:
His Excellency Muflih Al-Lawzi
His Excellency Abdul Wahab Al-Majali
His Excellency Kamal Al-Dajani
His Excellency Dr. Khalil Al-Salem
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Abu Qura
His Excellency Abdul Majid Hijazi
His Excellency Dr. Yacoub Abu Ghosh
His Excellency Adnan Abu Awda
His Excellency Abdul Majid Al-Sharida
His Excellency Anis Al-Ma'shar
His Excellency Engineer Ahmad Al-Shoubki
His Excellency Marwan Al-Hmoud
His Excellency Ibrahim Naji Al-Azzam
His Excellency Suleiman Arar
His Excellency Abdul Raouf Al-Rawabdeh
His Excellency Engineer Ali Al-Suhaimat
His Excellency Taher Hikmat
His Excellency Hamada Al-Fawaz
His Excellency Salman Al-Qudaat
His Excellency Jumaa Hamad
His Excellency Atta Allah Al-Kabareti
His Excellency Khaled Al-Fayyad
His Excellency Suleiman Al-Ratima
His Excellency Salem Bin Najad
His Excellency Saeed Al-Ghazzawi
His Excellency Mohammed Ali Bdeir
His Excellency Walid Asfour
His Excellency Amin Shaqir
His Excellency Dr. Carlos Damas
His Excellency Mahmoud Al-Sharif
His Excellency Hayel Abu Bariz
His Excellency Shamseddin Othman Tash
Her Excellency Widad Boulos
His Excellency Sultan Majed Al-Adwan
His Excellency Abdullah Akhuwarshid
His Excellency Hammad Ali Al-Ma'ayta
His Excellency Dr. Issa Al-Qassous
His Excellency Joudat Al-Sabool
His Excellency Khalaf Abu Nweir
His Excellency Sami Hassan Mansour
His Excellency Mohammed Khalil Khattab
Her Excellency Nayla Al-Rashdan
His Excellency Jamal Abdul Karim Abu Baqar
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Rabee
His Excellency Mansour Al-Batayneh
His Excellency Khaled Abdul Nabi
His Excellency Isaac Marqa
His Excellency Engineer Awni Al-Masri
Her Excellency Addawiya Al-Alami
His Excellency Anwar Al-Shboul
His Excellency Hassan Al-Momani
His Excellency Rokus Al-Azizi
Her Excellency Janet Al-Mufti Dkhan
His Excellency Yaseen Al-Breshi
His Excellency Mardhi Al-Qatamin
His Excellency Mamdouh Abu Hassan
His Excellency Barakat Al-Zuhair
His Excellency Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Tarawneh
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Adoub Al-Zaben
His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Izza
03The Third National Advisory Council
This council was established on April 20, 1982, and continued until January 7, 1984. It was chaired by His Excellency Suleiman Arar, and its members included:
His Excellency Abdul Wahab Al-Majali
His Excellency Kamal Al-Dajani
His Excellency Dr. Khalil Al-Salem
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Abu Qura
His Excellency Engineer Yahya Al-Khatib
His Excellency Abdul Majid Hijazi
His Excellency Dr. Yacoub Abu Ghos
His Excellency Adnan Abu Awda
His Excellency Abdul Majid Al-Sharida
His Excellency Omar Al-Nabulsi
His Excellency Engineer Omar Abdullah
His Excellency Anis Al-Ma'shar
His Excellency Marwan Al-Hmoud
His Excellency Sameh Isaac Al-Farhan
His Excellency Suleiman Arar
His Excellency Abdul Raouf Al-Rawabdeh
His Excellency Engineer Said Beino
His Excellency Engineer Ali Al-Suhaimat
His Excellency Dr. Jamal Al-Sha'ar
His Excellency Taher Hikmat
His Excellency Engineer Awni Al-Masri
His Excellency Salman Al-Qudaat
His Excellency Atta Allah Al-Kabareti
His Excellency Khaled Al-Fayyad
His Excellency Suleiman Al-Ratima
His Excellency Salem Bin Najad
His Excellency Mohammed Ali Bdeir
His Excellency Amin Shaqir
His Excellency Dr. Carlos Damas
Her Excellency Layla Sharaf
His Excellency Eid Mousa Abu Awad
His Excellency Mamdouh Al-Abadi
His Excellency Dr. Faisal Sadiq Kanaan
His Excellency Mohammed Ramadan Fares
His Excellency Abdul Jabbar Taym
His Excellency Hani Abu Hajleh
His Excellency Abdul Salam Issa Qasem
His Excellency Hisham Al-Sharari
His Excellency Sultan Majed Al-Adwan
His Excellency Faisal Sadiq Kanaan
His Excellency Hamad Ali Al-Ma'ayta
His Excellency Joudat Rizk Al-Sabool
His Excellency Khaled Abdul Nabi
His Excellency Falah Awad Al-Mukhaymir
His Excellency Badr Al-Muqbel
Her Excellency Aida Mustafa Motaleb Qana
His Excellency Saleh Faris Al-Ruwaymi
His Excellency Saad Hayel Al-Sarour
His Excellency Said Ahmad Al-Sawaf
His Excellency Naim Khalaf
His Excellency Ali Abu Erbeih
His Excellency Samia Nadeem Al-Zrou
His Excellency Hassan Al-Saghir
His Excellency Fahad Al-Farhan
His Excellency Raed Al-Shibani
His Excellency Said Salim Al-Jawabra
His Excellency Osama Hadi
His Excellency Ziad Al-Ja'afra
His Excellency Suleiman Al-Khader
His Excellency Ahmed Faris
His Excellency Abdul Hakeem Khattab
His Excellency Dr. Yahya Khreis
His Excellency Mahmoud Al-Kaid
Her Excellency Haifa Malhis Al-Bashir
His Excellency Hisham Faleh Al-Tal
His Excellency Abdul Qader Naji Al-Omari
His Excellency Muhammad Shaban Al-Shamali
His Excellency Muqbil Naji Al-Momani
Her Excellency Samia Nadeem Al-Zrou
His Excellency Issa Abed Abdul Rahim Al-Rimawi
His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Akhuwarshid
His Excellency Abdullah Hassan Samara Al-Zoubi
His Excellency Ali Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Al-Khashman
His Excellency Issa Abed Abdul Rahim Al-Rimawi
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Adoub Al-Zaben