Fuel prices: Parliament set to vote on 2027 budget bill provisions

Next Monday, members of the National People's Assembly will vote on Article 218 of the 2027 budget bill, which addresses the revision of fuel prices. The Finance Committee proposes that any price adjustment must be approved by Parliament to ensure oversight and protect purchasing power. Currently, the article allows undefined stakeholders to revise prices, prompting some lawmakers to demand its full repeal. Government officials, including Ministers Mohamed Arkab and Mohammed Lamine Lebbou, have sought to reassure the public by stating that no price hikes are currently planned and that the measure is intended for specific industrial activities. However, the broad language of the bill and the precedent of the January 2026 price increase—conducted via regulatory decree without parliamentary input—remain central points of contention in the upcoming plenary session.