The government might have been forgiven for anticipating a relatively smooth start to 2011 following a record vote of confidence for the prime minister, Samir Rifai, and his cabinet in late December. Yet even before the outbreak of anti-government demonstrations following similar protests in Tunisia and Egypt, deputies were calling on the prime minister to undertake comprehensive reforms to tackle corruption and high unemployment. Riots in the southern city of Maan further underlined existing tensions. The public demonstrations that led to the deposition of the Tunisian president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, in early January, followed by protests against Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, encouraged Jordanians to take to the streets to demand reform and Mr Rifai's resignation. Following weeks of pressure, King Abdullah II suddenly dismissed Mr Rifai and his cabinet on February 1st, appointing the former prime minister and national security chief, Marouf Bakhit, instead.