King Abdullah II of Jordan has dissolved the Jordanian parliament and called early elections. No official reason has been given for the King's decision but criticism of the people's representatives had been mounting in recent months. MPs have been accused of corruption and of not doing enough to tackle the economic crisis.

King Abdullah's decision comes midway through the parliament's term of office. At the last parliamentary elections in November 2007, parties and independent candidates loyal to the King regained a parliamentary majority at the expense of Islamist parties.

The influence of Jordan's 110-seat parliament is limited. Most of the power in the country is still in the hands of the monarchy.