Public distrust in Jordan’s government will increase

Significance

The government’s determination to hold elections on time despite popular calls for postponement amid a pandemic resurgence sparked boycott campaigns. Despite safety measures such as social distancing and mandatory masks implemented by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) turnout was just 29.9%, 7 percentage points lower than in 2016.

Impacts

• Closer alignment with key donor Abu Dhabi could stir up negative popular reactions over the country’s recent normalisation with Israel.
• As health services and finances struggle to cope, more government ministers are likely to be sacrificed to public anger.
• Increased dissent will evoke a securitised response justified under the 1992 Defence Law.