The past week has been like no other in the recent history of Jordan, with massive public demonstrations leading to the forced resignation of the prime minister. Spontaneous protests broke out May 31 after the government approved a sharp hike in fuel prices by an average of 5%. The day before, thousands of Jordanians observed an unprecedented general strike called for by the kingdom’s powerful professional associations to protest a controversial income tax bill. The government of outgoing Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki, which had sent the legislation to parliament without allowing public debate, had been under public pressure for months since it passed a contentious 2018 state budget, lifted subsidies on bread and imposed a sales tax on essential goods.

Since May 31, Jordanians, mostly young men and women, have been taking to the streets in the capital Amman and other cities across the kingdom, demanding the sacking of the government and rejecting its austerity measures. Largely peaceful in nature, with few injuries and arrests, thousands of protesters were prevented from heading to the Prime Ministry in west Amman by anti-riot police who were lauded by citizens on social media for their discipline. While the state-run media avoided coverage of the mass protests, protesters took to Facebook and Twitter to broadcast live scenes of the nightly rallies.

King Abdullah II intervened on May 31, ordering the government to freeze the fuel price hikes. Chairing a National Policies Council meeting on June 2, he called on the government and parliament to lead a comprehensive and rational national dialogue to reach a consensus on the income tax draft law that does not drain the public, combats evasion and improves efficiency of tax collection. He also said that it is unfair to force citizens to bear the burden of financial reform.

But the leaderless protests continued, with many thousands joining every night, insisting that the government be fired and the proposed law withdrawn. By June 3, it became clear that the political crisis has deepened. The speakers of the bicameral legislature, which was not convened, sought to provide the royal court and the government with a way out. They suggested that an extraordinary session be convened within days so that both chambers can reject the proposed bill.