AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Wednesday launched a series of consultations on the draft Local Administration Law, with a meeting of the Union of Centrist Parties parliamentary bloc.

 

During the meeting at the Prime Ministry, Hassan emphasised that the Royal Letter of Designation provides a clear mandate to advance the political modernisation project, with local administration representing the second pillar of this framework.

 

The prime minister underscored that progress in the democratic approach remains central to these efforts, facilitated through a national dialogue to review legislation governing municipalities and governorate councils ahead of upcoming elections

 

He noted that the draft law aims to empower municipal councils to fulfil their responsibilities while introducing mechanisms for oversight, evaluation, and accountability, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

 

“We must be precise in defining responsibilities and duties,” Hassan said, stressing that these measures are intended to serve citizens and encourage participation.

 

Highlighting municipalities as the primary units of local development, the prime minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to reactivating and strengthening their role through revised legislation. He also stressed that effective representation of youth and women in councils is essential and will be reinforced in the new draft.

 

Hassan said that the government would implement measures to govern the local administration sector, enhance staff efficiency, and automate services to improve service delivery, in line with commitments made in the government’s response to the Royal Letter of Designation.

 

The prime minister also said that the draft law focuses on three main pillars: governing municipal operations and management through a clear legislative framework; achieving financial and administrative discipline; and improving service quality, particularly in the governorates.

 

Hassan also noted that many municipal issues are administrative in nature. He stressed that the legislation must curb nepotism and favouritism, which have historically undermined municipal sustainability and contributed to rising debt, waste, and bloated administrations. He added that digital transformation is essential to deliver services efficiently, fairly, and transparently.

 

The dialogue on the draft law would continue with other parliamentary blocs, civil society organisations, and stakeholders across the governorates to reach a broad consensus before the bill is submitted to the Lower House later in 2026.

 

Minister of Local Administration Walid Masri outlined the draft law’s key pillars, developed through months of discussions, noting that the government remains open to further suggestions to refine the legislation.

 

MP Zuhair Khashman, head of the Union of Centrist Parties bloc, and bloc members presented proposals aimed at improving local administration and municipal work.

 

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abu Samen, Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Moneim Oudat, and Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Abdulatif Najdawi.