Jordan’s Islamic Action Front urges gov't to step down

By Laith al-Juneidi

AMMAN (AA) - The Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood, has called for early elections and the formation of a “national salvation” government.

In a Friday statement, the IAF justified its call by citing what it described as the government's “insistence on pressuring citizens” through unjustified taxation.

On Wednesday, thousands of Jordanians took part in a five-hour general strike to protest proposed income tax legislation.

Trade unions called for the strike after the government approved an amended version of a tax bill last week that would, if passed, subject all annual incomes of 8,000 Jordanian dinars (roughly $11,200) or more to additional taxes.

And on Thursday, the government raised subsidized electricity prices -- for the fifth time this year -- leading to further popular discontent.

It also raised subsidized fuel prices by 5.5 percent before reversing the move at the request of King Abdullah II.

In its Friday statement, the IAF chastised the government for its economic policies, describing the twin price hikes as “a provocation to the Jordanian people”.

It also demanded the government withdraw the unpopular income tax bill and hold early parliamentary polls “given the current assembly’s inability to carry out its responsibilities in regards to the country and people”.

The IAF went on to call for the current government to be replaced with a “national salvation” government composed of technocrats “untainted by corruption”.

“Any delay in forming a new government will only harm the interests of the country and people,” the party asserted, urging the public to take part in planned demonstrations next week against the income tax bill.