Iraqi MP Mona al-Gharabi has rejected efforts to cover the government’s budget deficit at the expense of citizens, especially low-income families. She described the continued rise in the dollar exchange rate as an unjustified decision that lacks a clear economic plan.
Speaking to dinaropinions.com/, al-Gharabi said the government and monetary authorities should not address spending shortfalls by putting more pressure on people’s livelihoods and market stability. She warned that Iraqi citizens can no longer afford further financial pressure and repeated waves of inflation.
She argued that the latest increase in the dollar exchange rate lacks convincing economic justification and reduces the purchasing power of poor and middle-class families.
Al-Gharabi said the government should tackle the budget deficit by controlling public spending, increasing non-oil revenues, fighting corruption and reducing financial waste rather than weakening the dinar and making life more expensive for citizens.
She added that Parliament would take a firm position during the budget discussions to protect people’s living standards and push the government to consider alternative solutions that do not place additional burdens on the public.
