Jordanians protest tax hikes, subsidy reductions

By Laith al-Junaidi

AMMAN, Jordan

Dozens of Jordanians demonstrated in central Amman on Thursday to protest a raft of recent economic decisions by the government, including tax hikes and subsidy reductions.

Protesters chanted slogans against the government and parliament and called for the dismissal of Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki and the dissolution of the national assembly.

In a bid to rein in a ballooning fiscal deficit, the government recently adopted a raft of controversial measures, including sales tax and fuel price increases and the lifting of bread subsidies -- moves that have drawn widespread public disapproval.

In a related development, 25 lawmakers from Jordan's Reform Bloc have reportedly signed a petition calling for a vote of no-confidence in the al-Mulki government.

"The petition was adopted… at a Tuesday session of parliament and was later submitted to the general secretariat for referral to the assembly," Jordanian lawmaker Tamer Pino told Anadolu Agency.

The petition represents the fifth attempt by Jordanian lawmakers to push for a parliamentary vote of no confidence in the government.