Ammon News - By Wael Jaraysheh

AMMONNEWS - The Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday rejected Senate 's changes to two controversial draft laws granting Parliament members permanent diplomatic passports and all lawmakers retirement payments for life.

The Senate endorsed the temporary Civil Service Retirement Law as presented by the government, making one change stipulating that lawmakers are not entitled to a pension salary except after at least six years of actual civil service and four years as a parliamentarian.

Meanwhile the Senate rejected the Lower House’s amendments to Article 9 of the 2012 Passports Law, under which Royal family members, as well as serving and former premiers, ministers, Royal Court chiefs, King’s advisers, senators, MPs and chief Islamic justices are to be given permanent diplomatic passports.

Under the government’s amendments to the law, ministers, deputies and senators were to be eligible for temporary diplomatic passports that would be withdrawn when they leave their positions.

The Deputies decision to grant the special passport and retirement payments caused public anger over the past two weeks.

The Parliament rejection of the two laws will be debated by the Senate again, and if they rejected, a joint session of the two Chambers will be held for a final decision, which is taken by a two-third majority.