Scuffles between MPs debating constitutional reforms force Jordan’s parliament to adjourn
Following a hot debate about several controversial constitutional changes, including an amendment regarding gender equality in Jordanian law, there were fisticuffs among Jordanian lawmakers on Tuesday. After heated debate on several controversial constitutional reforms, including a gender equality amendment, the session was forced to adjourn.
A live feed of the brawl, which lasted for minutes, was broadcast on state media. The footage showed MPs getting angry and throwing punches at their coworkers. As background voices scream for the fight to cease, one politician was knocked to the ground by the brawl.
The fight apparently erupted over an amendment to include the female noun for a citizen in a chapter of the country’s constitution titled the ‘Rights and Duties of Jordanians’, which grants equal rights to all, the Middle East Eye reported, citing Jordanian media outlets.
Many politicians opposed the motion and referred to it as “Terming It” “unnecessary,”According to Al-Mamlaka, the channel broadcast the session at the House of Representatives. According to reports, one MP commented that adding the feminine noun would make it a “great deal”. “shameful.”Speaker Abdelkarim al-Daghmi (presiding over this debate) was offended by the remarks and demanded an explanation.
After another politician called al-Daghmi a “sinister”, the dispute allegedly escalated. “unable to run the show”He was accused of “not knowing anything.”The speaker then apparently instructed the MP to “shut up and leave the hall”before announcing the end of the session, and then walking out.
Following his departure, the feud broke out as opposing legislators began wagging their fingers and jostling. According to Reuters no one was seriously hurt during the punch-up or subsequent chaos. The clip of the altercation has been shared widely on social media.
“There was a verbal shouting match that turned into a fist fight by several deputies. The behavior is unacceptable to our people and harms our country’s reputation,”Khalil Atiyeh was an MP who saw the session and told the news agency.
Other constitutional reforms scheduled to be discussed during the session included the creation of a National Security Council, and the halving of the speaker’s term in office to one year.
Lawmakers also objected to proposed changes that could increase the powers of the country’s monarch, King Abdullah II, Euronews reported, adding that a royal commission had previously proposed giving MPs the right to choose the country’s prime minister.
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