Jordan’s Parliamentary Elections: A Turning Point for Islamic Opposition

In a significant shift in Jordan’s political landscape, the Islamic Action Front (IAF) made unprecedented gains in the recent parliamentary elections. As preliminary results emerged on Wednesday, the IAF, the largest opposition party in Jordan, secured 32 seats in the 138-member parliament, marking a historic moment for the party and the nation.

Jordanians went to the polls under a new electoral law, designed to grant political parties a greater role in parliament, which has historically been dominated by tribal and pro-government factions. The 2022 electoral law allocated 41 seats specifically for political parties, out of the total 138 seats, providing an opening for opposition groups like the IAF. This law was seen as an attempt to weaken the tribal dominance in Jordanian politics and to empower political parties to have a stronger voice in shaping the future of the country.

The Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, made the most of this opportunity, winning 18 seats through the party list and another 14 seats on local lists, including in traditionally tribal regions. The party’s influence was especially pronounced in the capital, Amman, where it secured all quota seats. This achievement underscores the party’s ability to build broad alliances, even with traditionally opposing forces, such as tribal leaders.

Etaf Roudan, a Jordanian journalist, explained the significance of these results, stating that the IAF’s success was not unexpected. “They have been political professionals for decades and are well-acquainted with the ins and outs of Jordanian society,” Roudan said. The party’s ability to forge strategic alliances with influential tribal and societal forces has been crucial to its success in these elections. These alliances were particularly vital as Jordan navigates regional crises, including the war in Gaza, which has heightened political tensions.

The IAF’s success also reflects the current popular mood in Jordan, where public sentiment has been increasingly shaped by concerns over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. Jordan, home to a significant Palestinian population, has seen growing support for Hamas, with whom the Muslim Brotherhood shares ideological ties. The IAF has capitalized on this support, rallying Jordanians behind their stance on the Palestinian issue. This alignment has drawn not only Islamic voters but also leftists, traditional nationalists, and even some tribal forces who share the IAF’s opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Just days before the election, tensions between Jordan and Israel escalated further when a Jordanian gunman killed three Israeli guards at the country’s border crossing with the West Bank, the first such attack since the 1990s. The timing of this incident, combined with the IAF’s vocal stance on Gaza, likely contributed to the party’s success at the polls.

Murad al-Adaileh, the secretary-general of the IAF, attributed the party’s electoral gains to its performance in the previous parliament and its unwavering stance on the Gaza conflict. “The next House of Representatives must be robust in confronting the extreme Israeli right,” Adaileh said, emphasizing the need to counteract the growing influence of right-wing politics in Israel and, potentially, the United States if Donald Trump were to win the 2024 presidential election.

Economic concerns also played a critical role in the election. Jordan’s economy, already struggling with high unemployment, poverty, and a public debt nearing $50 billion, has been further strained by the impact of regional conflicts on the kingdom’s vital tourism sector. Voters, frustrated by the economic stagnation, have turned to the IAF in hopes of seeing a shift away from the current political approach that they believe has exacerbated these problems. The party’s economic plan, “Jordan 2030,” offers a vision for addressing these challenges and providing new opportunities for Jordan’s youth, many of whom are considering emigration due to the lack of jobs at home.

Despite the IAF’s gains, voter turnout remained low, with just 32 percent of eligible voters participating in the election, only slightly higher than the 29 percent turnout in the 2020 election. This voter apathy highlights the challenges the new parliament will face in engaging the public and restoring faith in Jordan’s political process.

As the official results are expected later this evening, the IAF’s success marks a significant moment in Jordan’s political history. While the parliament remains dominated by tribal, centrist, and pro-government factions, the gains made by the IAF signal a growing demand for change, driven by both regional tensions and domestic economic frustrations. The coming years will test whether the Islamic opposition can turn this electoral success into meaningful political and economic reform for Jordan.