Rawabdeh: Jordan believes in gradual democratic change

Jordan is steadily moving ahead along the path of democratic transformation that meets the aspirations of its citizens and boosts popular participation in the decision-making process, Senate President Abdel Raouf Rawabdeh said.
He spoke during a meeting on Sunday with a delegation of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, led by its CEO Anthony Smith, to discuss cooperation between the Senate and the Foundation.
"Jordan believes in the gradual transformation into democracy in accordance with the legitimacy of our leadership and in a way that safeguards our culture and traditions to arrive at a partisan life that enables parties to form governments," Rawabdeh said.
He said the Senate was keen on cementing its partnership with the Westminster Foundation in order to develop the legislative capabilities of its members according to programmes that address its work and training requirements.
Smith hailed Jordan's keen interest in boosting the democratic process in the country, noting His Majesty King Abdullah's reiteration of his commitment to solidifying the democratic and partisan process.
He said that the democratic transformation Jordan is witnessing, given the current political conditions in the region, is an indication of the seriousness of its leadership to press ahead with democracy as the path to parliamentary governments, pluralism and good governance. Smith said his Foundation seeks to strengthen parliamentary capabilities and develop domestic political parties in Britain and at the international and regional levels in a manner to help achieve sustainable development and promote democracy and the role of law and good governance.