Jordanians hit streets to demand resignation of gov’t

By Laith al-Juneidi

AMMAN (AA) - Hundreds of Jordanians took to the streets of the capital on Friday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki’s government over an unpopular income tax bill.

Marchers set out from central Amman’s Al-Husseini Mosque on Friday afternoon, chanting, “The people want the government to resign” and “This government has made us hungry”.

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

Trade unions had called for Wednesday’s strike after the government approved an amended version of a tax bill 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.