• With the participation of 70 leaders from 20 political parties and experts from the Arab World.
  
  
• Al Quds Center for Political Studies organized an experience-sharing workshop about the opportunities and challenges of the political parties in the parliamentary elections.

With the participation of 70 leaders from 20 political parties and experts from the Arab World, Al Quds Center for Political Studies organized an experience-sharing workshop about the opportunities and challenges of the political parties in the parliamentary elections.

Last week, the Al Quds Center for Political Studies and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, in cooperation with the Independent Election Commission, organized an experience-sharing workshop on the challenges and opportunities faced by political parties in parliamentary elections. The workshop saw the participation of 70 top-ranking leaders and members of the general secretariats from over 20 parties registered under the new political parties law, along with experts from Morocco and Lebanon. The workshop extended over two days and centered around four main topics:: 1) The election campaign strategy and the preparation of the election platform, 2) The methods for selecting candidates and preparing electoral lists… 3) Building political party alliances and coalitions, 4) Fundraising for the electoral campaign.

Dr. Amina Maelainine, a former Moroccan Member of Parliament who served two successive mandates under the Justice and Development Party and is an expert in parliamentary affairs, presented the Moroccan experience in the four topics. On the other hand, Dr. Tony Attallah, a university professor and expert in parliamentary and political affairs, presented the best international practices in these four fields while also highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the Lebanese political parties' experience when necessary. The sessions were successively chaired by Their Excellencies, Dr. Samir Habashneh, MP Dina Al-Bashir, Dr. Sabri Rbihat and MP Mayada Shreem. Aspects of the Jordanian experience was presented by Dr. Ali Khawaldeh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Hussein Abu Rumman and Mr. Oraib Al Rantawi.

On their part, parties’ secretaries-general and leaders shared various aspects of Jordan's parliamentary and political experience, discussing its strengths, weaknesses, successes, and failures. Furthermore, the participants agreed that the timing of the workshop was ideal, as it took place shortly after political parties had settled with the new laws and a year ahead of the 2024 legislative elections. These elections will be held for the first time under the new election law, which is expected to enhance the capacities of political parties and strengthen their position in the House of Representatives.

The participants emphasized the crucial importance of ensuring the integrity and transparency of the upcoming elections. They also stressed the need to uphold the principle of independence for state institutions in the electoral process and to encourage citizen participation in the elections. They highlighted that the level of participation is one of the most significant criteria for determining the success or failure of establishing elected institutions with both popular and constitutional legitimacy. The participants further discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the legislative institution as reached by the Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System, as well as the recent funding system. The workshop commenced with welcoming remarks and an introduction to the workshop's objectives and agenda, delivered by the organizing partners, Al Quds Center and Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Agenda

Tuesday, May 30th 2023

9:30 – 10:00 Reception and Registration

10:00 – 10:30 Opening Session and Welcoming Remarks
- Mr. Oraib Al Rantawi
Director-General of Al-Quds Center for Political Studies

- Mrs. Hala Abu Ghazaleh
Project Manager at Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) - Jordan Office

10:30 – 12: 30 First session:
Election Campaign Strategy and the Preparation of the Election Platform.

Session Chairperson:
H.E Mr. Samir Habashneh
Former Minister of the Interior and former Member of Parliament.

Speakers:
o The Best Practices:
Dr. Toni Attallah
Elections expert and former dean of the Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences at the Lebanese University.

o The Moroccan Political Parties’ Experience
Dr. Amina Maelainine
Former member of the Moroccan House of Representatives and leader member in the Party of Justice and Development in Morocco.

Discussion

12:30 – 1: 00 Coffee Break

1:00 – 3: 00 Second Session:
Methods for Selecting Candidates and Preparing Electoral Lists.

Session Chairperson:
H.E MP Dina Al Bashir
Member of the Jordanian House of Representatives.

Speakers:
o The Best Practices:
Dr. Toni Attallah
Elections expert and former dean of the Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences at the Lebanese University.

o The Moroccan Political Parties’ Experience:
Dr. Amina Maelainine
Former member of the Moroccan House of Representatives and leader member in the Party of Justice and Development in Morocco.

o The Jordanian Experience:
Mr. Hussein Abu Rumman
Researcher in political parties and parliamentary Affairs.

Discussion

3:00 Lunch and participants’ departure

Wednesday, May 31st 2023

9:30 – 10:00 Reception and Registration

10:00 – 11:30 Third Session:
Building Political Party Alliances and Coalitions

Session Chairperson:
H.E Dr. Sabri Rbihat
Former Minister of Political Development.

Speakers:
o The Best Practices:
Dr. Toni Attallah
Elections expert and former dean of the Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences at the Lebanese University.

o The Moroccan Political Parties’ Experience
Dr. Amina Maelainine
Former member of the Moroccan House of Representatives and leader member in the Party of Justice and Development in Morocco.

o The Jordanian Context
Mr. Oraib Al-Rantawi
Director General of Al Quds Center for Political Studies
Discussion

11:30 – 11:45 Coffee Break

11:45 – 1:15 Fourth session:
Fundraising for the Electoral Campaign

Session Chairperson:
H.E MP Mayada Shreem
Member of the Jordanian House of Representatives.

Speakers:
o The Best Practices:
Dr. Toni Attallah
Elections expert and former dean of the Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences at the Lebanese University.

o The Moroccan Political Parties’ Experience:
Dr. Amina Maelainine
Former member of the Moroccan House of Representatives and leader member in the Party of Justice and Development in Morocco.

o The Legal Framework and Regulations:
Dr. Ali Al-Khawaldeh
Secretary-General of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs.

Discussion

1:15 Lunch and participants’ departure.