The Jordanian government faced criticism from parliament as it raised prices of oil derivatives for March. Jordan has adjusted its domestic petroleum product prices monthly to align them with international prices after fossil fuel subsidies were lifted in November (MEES, 16 November 2012).
The March increase was rejected by a large number of deputies – over 90 out of 150 – in the lower house of parliament, demanding that the increases be rescinded at a stormy session on 6 March during which the government was accused of corruption. The session was subsequently adjourned to avoid further escalation of the dispute. Last November Prime Minister ‘Abd Allah al-Nusur warned that the delay in the withdrawal of subsidies would be catastrophic. Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Alai al-Batayna attributed the latest increase to a rise in the average price of Brent crude internationally in the month of February. (CONTINUED - 948 WORDS)
