Ammon News - by Khaled Neimat/ Jordan Times

AMMAN — The Professional Associations Council (PAC) is moving towards a shift in power as a result of the elections of several unions that witnessed the rise of Arab nationalist and leftist groups, and the decline of Islamists.

The Arab nationalists and leftists are now controlling three major associations, including the bar, medical and dental syndicates, according to leading unionists.

They enjoy what observers describe as a “comfortable majority” within the associations council, which will mark a different approach to how the associations will be run from that which has prevailed over the last two decades.

However, the Islamists are still dominating two leading associations including the engineers and agricultural engineers.

These two unions have over 130,000 subscribers, according to Engineers Association figures, but they do not control the PAC, which includes in its structure 14 syndicates.

The presidency of the PAC is restricted to six unions out of the 14 associations, and each have the right to lead the professional associations on a rotating basis.

The recent results of the elections in the bar, medical and dental associations have paved the way for a change in the structure of the largest assembly for civil society organisations in the country, according to columnist Maher Abu Teir from Ad Dustour daily.

Along with changes in the individuals and leadership of these associations, they are expected to adopt new policies and strategies, or at least a greater balance of power will occur, based on the fact that numbers of the Arab nationalists and leftists representatives have increased and the number of Islamists has declined, Abu Teir said.

In addition to these three associations, a coalition of Arab nationalists and independent Islamists has control over the Pharmacists Association, which has more than 10,000 subscribers.

The new balance of power within these associations will make things difficult for the Islamists and allow for diversity in the Professional Associations Complex, which has been under the Islamic movement control for more than two decades, he added.

Newly elected head of the Dental Association, Ibrahim Tarawneh, acknowledged this, adding that a “new era has started”, noting that he and his coalition from pan-Arab nationalists and leftists will attempt to make positive changes within the PAC.

He declined to comment on the decline of the Islamists power, but said “they should have their own mechanism to reassess things”.

The decline in the Islamists’ roles in such leading institutions is a reflection of the decrease in their influence on the street, Abu Teir noted, saying “they must review their strategies before it is too late to restore their clout”.

Tarawneh’s brother Ahmad is the head of the Construction Contractors Association, and has been in the post for over three years.

“This is another positive aspect to make even more coalitions and strengthen our influence within the complex,” Tarawneh said, noting that he and his team are open to any offers of cooperation from other associations.