Amman-- Prime Minister designate, Dr. Omar Razzaz, on Thursday started consultations to form his new government by meeting with the Lower House Speaker, Atef Tarawneh.

 

Razzaz stressed keenness to maintain cooperation and coordination with the Parliament to implement visions and directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, included in the Royal letter of designation to serve the country and citizens.

 

Our first priority would be consultation with the two Houses of Parliament and Professional Unions to look into the income tax draft law and the government's work program.

 

Tarawneh stressed the importance of withdrawing the draft income tax law as soon as possible, pointing out that the majority of MPs are against the controversial amendments to the law.

 

The Lower House will reject the amended income tax law during its upcoming extraordinary session, Tarawneh said, calling on the Prime Minister-designate to hold dialogues with all parliamentary blocs and inform them with the government's work program.

 

"The new government has a national responsibility and has to address great challenges in order to provide citizens with quality services and a social safety system that protects the vulnerable within a fair tax environment," Tarawneh said .