On Wednesday, Jordanians took to the streets to protest a new income tax draft bill and the rise of fuel as well as electricity prices.
It all started a few months ago when Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki announced a new bill that will tax Jordanians with annual incomes of JOD 8,000 ($11,280) or more.
Jordan is a relatively poor country that still depends on foreign aid and according to government officials, only 4 percent of Jordanians pay taxes.
With the government indicating that citizens with annual salaries as low as $11,000 should join in on paying taxes - taking into consideration an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) that reached 16 percent - protests were fueled across the country.
1. Protesters first took to the streets of Amman on Wednesday
Thousands of Jordanians opposed the bill that is set to increase income taxes, urging the government to rethink the new law.
People from both the private and public sectors protested during normal working hours 9 am - 5 pm.
2. Electricity and fuel prices were set to increase... but King Abdullah II immediately froze the decision
The following day, the government announced a 5.5 percent increase in fuel costs and a 19 percent increase in electricity prices.
Subsequently, after continued protests by Jordanians - 18.5 percent of whom are unemployed and over 20 percent regarded as poor - Jordan's King Abdullah II demanded to shelve the recent fuel and electricity price increase.
3. Protestors blockaded the 4th circle
On Saturday, Jordanians drove to the 4th circle in Amman, where the Prime Ministry is located and abandoned their cars in the middle of the street to protest the fuel price increase.
Protestors are still flocking the area with anti-government slogans and chants.
4. Cities beyond Amman are protesting
Citizens from Madaba, Irbid, and Aqaba also protested and burned tires in the streets. Local media also reported some cases of violence against police officers and stations.
One of the protestors - who has since been arrested - stabbed a security guard working for the Jordanian police. The latter is reportedly "in a non-critical condition."
5. PM Hani Al-Mulki resigned... new PM assigned
On Monday, Prime Minister Hani Al Mulki resigned from his position amid continuous "protests against his government's austerity program."
The following day saw King Abdullah II appoint Minister of Education and previous World Bank economist, Omar Razzaz, as new PM with the responsibility to form a new government.
The new government is expected to reconsider the spike in fuel and electricity prices as well as remove or amend the new income tax draft law.
6. People are still protesting
People are still protesting in Amman, with many holding up checklists of the people's demands.
"True Reform ✔
Changing the current government
Withdrawing the new income tax law
Reviewing the current sales tax law
Support on bread
Reviewing the civil service law
Decreasing electricity and fuel prices
Taking legal action against corruption"
7. Razzaz withdraws the income tax draft law on Thursday
Earlier today, newly assigned Prime Minister Omar Razzaz announced that the income tax draft law will be withdrawn, hoping to reach a peaceful compromise with the civil society that has been protesting for the past week.
In a video statement to Ammon News, Razzaz said that he visited the Senate and the House of Representatives where they all agreed to withdraw the draft law.
The Cabinet members are yet to be announced by PM Razzaz.