AMMAN, Nov. 2 (Petra) -- His Majesty King Abdullah II will inaugurate Monday the third ordinary session of the 20th Parliament, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives.

His Majesty will deliver the Speech from the Throne before Parliament, marking the official opening of the ordinary session.

Following the Royal address, the Senate will convene to select members of the committee charged with drafting its response to the Speech from the Throne. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will hold its opening session, presided over by the most senior lawmaker, to elect the Permanent Bureau, comprising the Speaker, First and Second Deputies, and two Assistants.

Under Paragraph (A) of Article 3 of the House’s Internal Regulations, the most senior deputy chairs the initial meeting until the election of the Speaker. Seniority is determined by previous legislative terms served, followed by age, assisted by the two youngest present members. If any of them is unable to perform their duties, they may be replaced by the next youngest member. Their duties end upon the election of the Speaker.

Paragraph (A) of Article 14 of the Internal Regulations stipulates that a candidate for Speaker is elected upon securing an absolute majority of votes cast by members present if there are more than two candidates. If only two candidates are competing, the candidate receiving the relative majority wins. In the event of a tie, the winner is determined by drawing lots.

The House will subsequently elect a committee to draft its response to the Speech from the Throne, which must be approved and submitted to His Majesty within 14 days. The House is also expected to elect members across its 20 standing committees.

On September 30, a Royal Decree was issued postponing the convening of Parliament's ordinary session until November 2, 2026. A subsequent Royal Decree summoned Parliament to convene in its ordinary session as of Monday.

//Petra// WH