Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan has resorted to a limited cabinet reshuffle, in which no new element will join the existing lineup, nor will anyone leave.
The official statement issued on Monday in the name of the Prime Minister’s office spoke of a “very limited cabinet reshuffle,” dictated by “constitutional” considerations, referring to the merging of the Ministries of Higher Education and Education into a new ministry structure called the Ministry of Human Resources and Education, as well as the appointment of two deputy prime ministers, likely to be Minister Muhannad Shehadeh, who is in charge of the economic team, and Minister Walid Al-Masri, who oversees the local administration file.
That is, there is no extensive cabinet reshuffle affecting ministers, either because they failed the competency and experience tests that suit Hassan, or because they caused a stir in the street.
The limited scope of the amendment confirms that priority is given to major projects, the paperwork for which Hassan promised to finalize before the end of 2026.
The limited scope of the reshuffle confirms that the priority is for the major projects that Hassan promised to complete before the end of 2026. Accordingly, the Prime Minister is not interested in increasing or expanding ministerial reshuffles, as the staff is subject to performance evaluation. He is also not interested in bringing in new ministerial elements or removing key ministers, including some powerful ones; that is, he wants to avoid a state of turmoil inside and outside the government.
The government's retention of its structure without the introduction of new elements, with minor adjustments and the strengthening of the powers of two ministers who are closest to Hassan, came as a shock, especially after the public had been mobilized with news of an extensive cabinet reshuffle for more than 4 weeks by media outlets close to or affiliated with the government.
According to political activist Mohammed Hadid, new developments necessitated this limited scope of the amendment by the Prime Minister, related to changes in the rest of the state institutions.
What is striking is that governments usually do not issue statements related to the cabinet reshuffle, as the latter is within the powers of the royal palace, but apparently in light of street pressure, rumors and leaks, Hassan decided to resolve the issue of the reshuffle, in a form that the government was not ready for.
The Prime Minister’s statement clearly stated that the reshuffle is not a priority in the Prime Minister’s options, with some changes and transfers aimed at raising the identity and efficiency of two key ministerial committees: the first concerned with the path of economic modernization and the economic vision, and the second concerned with the political and electoral file, as the country prepares for municipal elections on the eve of the government submitting a new law for local administration to the House of Representatives.
This means that attention will be focused on two committees led by Ministers Shehadeh and Masri. There will now be three heads of state in the position of Deputy Prime Minister, with Minister Ayman Safadi remaining in his role as First Deputy Prime Minister.
Shehadeh continues his work within the leadership of the economic team based on a pre-defined systematic plan, while Al-Masri is considered the first and foremost person responsible for the new local administration law.
Therefore, Hassan will move to the end of the second year of forming his government, and will welcome the next regular session of Parliament, with a ministerial structure or system that includes three of them, going beyond his previous conviction that rejected the large number of deputy prime ministers.
Shehadeh continues his work within the leadership of the economic team based on a pre-defined systematic plan, while Al-Masri is considered the primary and most prominent figure responsible for the new local administration law.
There are assumptions that a directive has been issued for Hassan to complete his remaining term without a major reshuffle, as this would likely lead to the removal of some ministers who have been part of the government for some time. However, the government's composition, stability, and the empowerment of its prime minister are essential components of broader political and national arrangements and changes.
The limited amendment, as described in Hassan’s statement, has not been received enthusiastically by the public so far. On the contrary, it has been attacked by several writers, as it deprives the current government of the opportunity to enter its second year by integrating new figures capable of changing the stereotypical image in the eyes of the public, the public, and the House of Representatives.
This is happening amid the possibility that the government and parliament will not remain in power for a very long time, and we are talking here about 4 years.
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