In Jordan, parliament begins debate on constitutional changes

Jordan's parliament began deliberations on [22 November] of proposed constitutional reforms that officials say revitalise the monarchy and are part of a drive to deliver on long promised political reforms. A royal committee appointed by King Abdullah drafted the proposals to try to modernize the country's political system and revamp the existing political parties and elections law. [...] Prime Minister Bisher al Khasawneh said the draft legislation would pave the way for a prime minister emerging from a parliamentary majority rather than one handpicked by the monarch, a main plank of the reformist agenda favored by a mix of Islamist and tribal figures. [...] The proposals include setting up a national security council headed by the monarch falling under government jurisdiction, a move some experts and politicians see as whittling away the monarch's powers. [...] Some deputies also criticized the alterations to the kingdom’s constitution saying it also sidelined parliament and eroded successive governments’ executive powers.
Read the full article here: Reuters