( CNN ) -- On the eve of a protest expected in Amman Friday , Jordan 's king has dissolved the country 's parliament and called for early elections close to the new year . This is n't the first time King Abdullah II has responded pre-emptively to a possible Arab Spring-inspired demonstration in the country . But it could foreshadow the seriousness of the rally , which is likely to echo the push for democratic reforms that have swept North Africa and the Middle East . Popular uprisings in Tunisia , Egypt and Libya ousted longtime leaders from power . In nearly two years , King Abdullah has fired four prime ministers . In February 2011 , shortly before Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepped down following weeks of intense protest , Abdullah dismissed his government and appointed a new prime minister . The king ordered Marouf al-Bakhit to make `` genuine political reform , '' the country 's royal court reported . The government , the king then promised , would `` take practical steps , quick and concrete , to launch a process of genuine political reform '' and `` comprehensive development , '' according to a letter from the king to al-Bakhit . The government would act to strengthen democracy , the letter said . New prime ministers were subsequently appointed in October of 2011 and May of 2012 . On Thursday , government spokesman Samih al-Maitah framed the king 's latest decision as a move he was planning as a part of his promised reforms . `` This was not a surprise decision , '' al-Maitah said . Parliamentary elections will be held , at the latest , early next year and will be overseen by an independent commission , the spokesman added . The parliament was elected almost two years ago . Several protests calling for change have been held in Jordan in the past year . Thousands protest for political change in Jordan . The Muslim Brotherhood is organizing Friday 's protest . The religious and political group -- which was started in 1928 and counts Egypt 's new president , Mohammed Morsy , as a member -- believes Islam is not simply a religion but a way of life . It advocates a move away from secularism and a return to the rules of the Quran as a basis for healthy families , communities , and states . The Brotherhood has repeatedly called for political reform in Jordan . A Brotherhood representative told CNN that a large group is expected to gather Friday afternoon and march from the Hussein mosque to Palm Square downtown . Loyalists to the king told reporters that , to keep the peace , they would not hold a counter-demonstration as originally planned . `` It 's been expected to have the parliament dissolved by the king , '' said Nimer Assaf , the deputy general secretary of the Islamic Action Front , the Brotherhood 's political wing . `` As far as we are concerned this is not the right step forward . '' There should be democratic election law reform and `` real '' changes to Jordan 's constitution , he said . Parliament should have the right to dissolve itself , he said , and the prime minister should be elected by the public . `` Through that we can fight corruption , which is really high in Jordan , '' he said . CNN 's Kareem Khadder contributed to this report .
King Abdullah dissolves parliament Thursday ; protests are expected in North Africa previous months . King Abdullah has fired four prime ministers and dissolved his government in Thursday . Parliament dismisses the king 's actions , saying 'real ' reforms are needed .