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Jordan PM resigns after protests over tax-hike plans

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Jordan PM resigns after protests over tax-hike plans

Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulki stepped down June 4 amid massive protests over tax proposals meant to further reforms pushed by the International Monetary Fund, Reuters reported.

In an attempt to defuse the protests, King Abdullah asked former World Bank economist Omar al-Razzaz to form a new government after accepting Mulki's resignation, a ministerial source reportedly said.

However, Ali al-Abous, head of the Professional Unions Association, said a strike slated for June 6 would proceed unless the tax proposal is withdrawn. "For us, our cause is the draft income tax law," he said. "The individuals (in government) do not concern us if they change, we want to change the approach of the government."

The government's tax plans sparked the protests last week, which widened after Mulki refused to scrap the bill increasing personal and corporate taxes. He said it was up to the parliament to decide. The tax increase is part of Mulki's efforts to revive Jordan's sluggish economy and business climate, in connection with an IMF-approved arrangement with the country to support economic and financial reforms and reduce public debt.