A Jordanian lawmaker occupied the designated seat of Prime Minister Bishr al-Khasawneh in the parliament and refused to leave, causing a wide commotion during the parliament's extraordinary morning session.
In an unprecedented scene, the opening of the House's extraordinary session on Wednesday was delayed after MP Emad Adwan seized the seat of the premier and refused to give it up in protest of the government's policy of raising prices on essentials including fuel prices.
Khasawneh asked the MP to leave his seat, and the latter said, "We are the People's Assembly, and we will not allow you to sit under the dome. The people are the source of authority, and we will not allow you to take unjust decisions against the Jordanian people, and we regret (to tell you) we cannot receive you."
"You cannot address me in this way, neither you nor anybody else," Khasawneh responded.
Parliament Speaker Abdel Moneim al-Awdat accused the MP of sabotaging the session and adjourned it amid a heated debate between Adwan and the Prime Minister.
At the beginning of the afternoon session, Awdat affirmed the parliament's rejection of what the lawmaker did, saying it is unacceptable in any way.
Observers believe that the incident paves the way for governmental, parliamentary debates in light of the discussion of essential legislations, namely the municipal and decentralization laws and laws that impact the economy.
MP Adwan did not attend the second session, and several lawmakers believed he would not be penalized, blaming the prime minister for the incident.
