The Constitution has dedicated Parliament to this occasion, with Article (79) stipulating that the Speech from the Throne be delivered before the Senate and the House of Representatives combined. This meeting has significance that transcends formal aspects; it brings together the elected chamber, which represents the popular will, and the appointed chamber, which includes national expertise and competencies, to listen to a single royal vision regarding the future of the state. It also affirms the importance of cooperation between the two chambers and the complementarity of their roles in exercising their constitutional powers, within the framework of the bicameral principle in the legislative branch.
The presence of senior state officials and representatives of the authorities carries constitutional implications related to the unity of the state and the complementary roles of its institutions, while each authority maintains its independence. The government is concerned with implementing public policies, the judiciary carries out its independent role in establishing justice, while the armed forces and security services take charge of protecting the homeland and its stability. The presence of ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries gains an important diplomatic dimension, as it allows them to observe firsthand the Jordanian positions on regional and international issues, foremost among them the firm position on the Palestinian cause, and to convey the messages of Jordanian foreign policy to the international community.
The constitutional importance of the Speech from the Throne does not end with its delivery, as the Constitution obligates both the Senate and the House of Representatives to submit an address containing their response to it. The response is not supposed to be merely a token of thanks and appreciation, but rather an opportunity to demonstrate the interaction of the two chambers with national priorities. It falls upon the government to translate these priorities into programs and policies, especially in the areas of water security and economic modernization, which His Majesty the King highlighted, while Parliament assumes the task of monitoring government performance and exercising its legislative and oversight powers.
It was noteworthy that His Majesty the King began his speech by condemning terrorism, remembering the martyrs of Karak, and calling for a moment of silence in their honor, reflecting the continued presence of the crime in the King’s attention and its profound national impact. Furthermore, the praise for the armed forces, security services, and the awareness of Jordanians confirms that confronting terrorism is not limited to security measures, but requires social cohesion, the rejection of extremism, and is linked to the state’s duty to protect security and social peace within the framework of the rule of law.
The speech contained other constitutional messages, most notably the affirmation that the nation is the source of powers according to Article (24) of the Constitution, the responsibility of Parliament in protecting the public interest and overseeing the government, and the importance of parliamentary conduct and discourse. His Majesty also emphasized the rule of law and freedom of expression, and that public office is a responsibility to serve citizens, not a privilege that exempts its holder from accountability.
The importance of the Speech from the Throne remains in the responsibilities it entails, which go beyond the ceremonies of opening the parliamentary session and place the public authorities before the obligation of dealing seriously with its contents. The true value of this constitutional occasion is not limited to the royal messages and directives it carries, but is embodied in the ability of state institutions to translate them into decisions, policies, and achievements that the citizen feels in their daily life, thereby strengthening their confidence in the institutions of their nation.
* Professor of Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Jordan
l.nasrawin@ju.edu.jo
