New Jordanian prime minister takes office amid virus spike, struggling economy
Bisher Al Khasawneh's government will also oversee the Nov. 10 elections in the country.
King Abdullah II of Jordan has appointed a new prime minister. The head of government will focus on combating a massive increase in COVID-19 cases and addressing the struggling economy in the Hashemite Kingdom.
Bisher Al Khasawneh took the oath of office on Monday, the state-run Jordan Times reported. Kasawneh will also serve as minister of defense and some members of his cabinet were sworn in by the king the same day. Other ministers, including Minister of State-designate Mahmoud Kharabsheh, will be sworn in at a later time due to their contraction of the coronavirus, according to the outlet.
The government of former Prime Minister Omar Razzaz resigned last week as its term was scheduled to end. The king called for the current government to stay in office through the Nov. 10 parliamentary elections in the country.
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy in which the prime minister has limited powers. The prime minister is head of the governmental cabinet and appointed by the king.
