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Ammon News -

A newly released nationwide public opinion poll in Jordan by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights and Survey Research (CISR) shows dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, distrust in political institutions, but a strong desire to expand democratic governance, IRI reported.

When asked if Jordan was headed in the right direction, 40% said things are mostly going in the wrong direction, compared to 24% who said the same in a previous poll from 2020. Only 11% stated that things are going mostly in the right direction, down from 16%, the poll showed.

“It is very clear that Jordanians across the country are not happy with how things are going,” said Patricia Karam, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at IRI. “Much of this stems from a struggling economy and widespread pessimism about future opportunities for financial stability.”

The poll also showed a wide distrust in several of Jordan’s political institutions. Only 5% of Jordanians said they trusted political parties to a large degree, while 7% agreed when asked about the Parliament. Ten percent of Jordanians stated the same about the Independent Elections Commission (IEC). In total, 30% feel that the country is governed in the interests of the majority of people while 69% believe it is governed in the interests of a few.

Additionally, the survey found a strong desire for more democratic development and direct representation in Jordan. When asked how important it is to live in a country that is governed democratically, 92% of adults said it was important or very important. Further, 36% of Jordanians believe the Prime Minister should be elected by popular vote as opposed to being appointed by the King. While the majority still support an appointment, this represents an eleven-point increase from the 2020 poll.

“It is encouraging to see that the people of Jordan want more political openness and direct representation,” said Karam. “The fact that Jordanians see more democracy as a solution to the problems they face is a very positive development.”

*IRI