In Tuesday’s parliamentary election in Jordan, the moderate Islamist opposition party, the Islamist Action Front (IAF), made significant gains, driven in part by public dissatisfaction with Israel’s war in Gaza.
Initial results released on Wednesday show that the IAF, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, won about one-fifth of the 138 parliamentary seats. This success follows a new electoral law aimed at strengthening political parties’ roles, which set aside 41 seats for political parties for the first time. The IAF now holds 31 seats, marking their largest representation since parliamentary activities resumed in 1989.
Wael al Saqqa, the IAF leader, expressed gratitude for the public’s trust, stating that the election outcome increases the party’s responsibility towards the nation. Murad Adailah, head of the Muslim Brotherhood, highlighted the election as a desire for change, with many voters seeking alternatives to the current political landscape.
The IAF’s success is seen as a reflection of widespread anti-Israel sentiment and support for Hamas, a stance that has increased their popularity. The election result represents a step in King Abdullah’s push for political reform, although he retains significant power under Jordan’s constitution, including appointing governments and dissolving parliament.
The new electoral system still favors tribal and rural areas over urban centers, which are heavily populated by Jordanians of Palestinian descent and known IAF strongholds. Voter turnout was reported at 32.25%, a slight increase from the previous election’s 29%.
The Muslim Brotherhood has faced scrutiny since the Arab Spring, where Islamist movements across the Arab world challenged established powers.
