THE KING OF JORDAN, King Abdullah II, has announced a package of constitutional reforms aimed at lessening the authority of the crown and giving the national parliament a greater oversight in the running of the country.

The proposed rules – which also include the creation of a national constitutional court, aimed at being the final arbiter of fundamental laws – are aimed at ending protests that had spread across the country so far this year.

The amendments will give the national parliament a more influential role in national affairs – requiring it to pass treaties for the first time, for example – as well as protecting the role of judiciary and reducing the ability to which the executive branch of government can encroach on others.

CNN reported that the revisions also lower the age at which members of the public can run for parliament, from 35 to 25, and establish an independent commission which will oversee parliamentary elections.

While the King will still have the power to act unilaterally in certain circumstances, those powers can only be exercised “in times of war and natural catastrophes”.

The prime minister will now be elected by the parliament, rather than chosen directly by the King. Elections for a new parliament must now be held within four months of the previous one being dissolved, instead of the current situation where the King can postpone them for as long as he wishes.

AFP added that the proposals were published on Sunday by the Royal Committee on Constitutional Review, which Abdullah had named in April. They will now go to parliament for ratification. The current constitution was drafted in 1952

Commentators have welcomed the proposed changes, though the Jerusalem Post quoted one activist who promised how people would continue to take to the streets if the reforms were not enacted quickly.

A Jordanian academic expert told the paper that while the changes may have been considered “enough” to end the protests three months ago, the mood in the country was now one of “nihilism and mistrust” and it was unclear if the moves would satisfy the public.

The European Union’s foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said the EU welcomed the proposed amendments, adding that “strengthening citizens’ rights and the independence of thejudiciary are positive steps in the reform process”.

The EU stood ready to offer assistance to Jordan in its ”path to meet the aspirations of the Jordanian people”, she added.