Jordan PM: we are being blackmailed to change our positions

Jordan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Omar Al-Razzaz said his country is under tremendous pressure to change its positions. Al-Razzaz did not specify the nature of the pressures Jordan faces, but the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on Friday that Jordan is facing extraordinary pressures due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond the Jordanian government control, including the hosting of Syrian refugees.

IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said the Jordanian government has asked the IMF to support and help maintain macroeconomic stability and reforms to promote growth and job creation, which in turn promotes social and political stability.

Al-Razzaz said during a meeting with representatives of the Jordanian parties yesterday that consultations on forming the new government are still underway, stressing that it is not enough to be a technocratic government, but it must also be aware of the social, political and local repercussions.

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The Jordanian prime minister reiterated that his new government will withdraw the draft income tax law and reconsider its content because it was not been sufficiently studied before it was approved.

Razzaz announced on Thursday that his government plans to withdraw the controversial income tax bill after it sparked protests across the kingdom and caused the previous government to resign. He stressed that the main objective of the law should be to address tax evasion without prejudice to the rights of Jordanians.

King Abdullah II of Jordan asked Al-Razzaz a week ago to form a new government following the resignation of his predecessor, Hani Mulki.

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