Jordanian King Abdullah swore in a new government led by a business-friendly politician Wednesday, charging him with preparing for parliamentary elections by September and pushing legislation to spur sluggish growth.

Jordan's main political opposition comes from the Muslim Brotherhood movement but it faces increasing legal curbs on its activities, leaving mostly pro-monarchy parties and some independent Islamists and politicians to compete in these elections, political analysts say.

Analysts say it could be difficult for the Brotherhood, which has operated legally in Jordan for decades, to participate in the election after the authorities closed many of its offices and encouraged a splinter group to legally challenge the main movement's licence to operate.

Western donors have pushed Jordan's authorities to widen political representation to stem radicalization among alienated and unemployed young people in poor overcrowded areas.

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