Amman: Several dozen Jordanian unionists and opposition activists rallied outside King Abdullah II's palace Wednesday, appealing to the monarch to initiate more far-reaching political reforms.
The king had largely stayed above the fray during six weeks of anti-government protests, and Wednesday's march marked the first time protesters took their grievances to the palace area. The protests in Jordan have been inspired by unrest in Tunisia and Egypt.
Activists have called for more say in politics and demanded that the government tackle high unemployment and inflation. Wednesday's protesters said they want a constitutional monarchy, in which the prime minister is elected.
Currently, parliament is elected, but the king retains the power to appoint and dismiss prime ministers and parliament and rule by decree.
"We hope the king will listen to us and our demands because the new government until now did not do anything, just talk, talk, talk," said Muhannad Sahafiin, 24, one of the protesters.
"We're in 2011 and we want a modern constitution. It's like we're like living in the 17th century," he said. The king has promised changes to pertinent laws, including a controversial election law which critics say allows the king's loyalists to dominate the legislature.
Protesters said a new Cabinet appointed by the king last week did not work fast enough for reform.
On Tuesday, Jordan's interior minister announced that protest marches will no longer need government permission. The announcement, still to be ratified by the Cabinet, was seen as a response to growing pressure to allow wider freedoms.
