Jordan’s prime minister says the government will lift subsidies on electricity to curb a growing budget deficit.
Abdullah Ensour made the announcement late Tuesday. Information Minister Mohammad al-Momani told The Associated Press Wednesday that it is still unclear when the price hike would take effect.
Al-Momani said the government is still discussing the technicalities involved.
The IMF says the measure is important to ease Jordan’s spiraling budget deficit, which is expected to reach $3 billion by the end of the year.
The lifting of subsidies on fuel and subsequent price hikes last November sparked violent street protests that left one person dead and 75 injured, including 58 policemen. Some of the demonstrators demanded Jordan’s ruler, King Abdullah II, step down.
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