The King Opens Today the Third Ordinary Session of the National Assembly
Al-Taj News – His Majesty King Abdullah II opens today, Monday, the proceedings of the third ordinary session of the National Assembly, comprising both the Senate and the House of Representatives, by delivering the Speech from the Throne before both chambers convened together.
On September 30, two Royal Decrees were issued; the first stipulated postponing the meeting of the National Assembly in its ordinary session until November 2, while the second summoned the National Assembly to convene starting Monday, corresponding to the same date.
Article 79 of the Jordanian Constitution stipulates that the King opens the ordinary session of the National Assembly by delivering the Speech from the Throne before both chambers convened together, and he may delegate the Prime Minister or one of the ministers to conduct the opening ceremonies and deliver the speech, while each of the two chambers submits a reply containing its response to it.
Under Article 78 of the Constitution, the King summons the National Assembly to convene in its ordinary session on the first of October of each year, with the permissibility of postponing the meeting by a Royal Decree published in the Official Gazette to a date specified therein, provided that the postponement period does not exceed two months.
The ordinary session begins on the date on which the National Assembly is summoned to convene, and it lasts for six months, unless the King dissolves the House of Representatives before the expiration of that period, with the permissibility of extending the session for an additional period not exceeding three months to complete the business.
Following the opening of the session with the Speech from the Throne, the Senate and the House of Representatives hold their first meetings, while the House of Representatives elects its Permanent Bureau, which comprises the Speaker, the First and Second Deputies, and the Speaker’s Assistants.
The agenda of the session includes electing a committee to reply to the Speech from the Throne, alongside forming the permanent parliamentary committees tasked with reviewing draft laws and matters referred to them, within the framework of the House exercising its legislative and oversight duties.
