World Cup Morocco Cafés Price Hikes Spark Political Outcry
The broadcast of World Cup matches is sparking controversy. Cafés are imposing price increases reaching 100 %, prompting a deputy to demand intervention from the Interior Minister to protect supporters’ purchasing power.
The enthusiasm for the World Cup is clashing with abusive commercial practices in Morocco. Lacking alternatives to follow matches collectively, thousands of Moroccans are turning to cafés. Some owners are seizing this opportunity to generate exceptional margins by increasing the price of beverages and services by 50 to 100 %, or even more. Added to this surge are the imposition of minimum consumption requirements or the demand for additional fees to watch matches, provoking anger among a population already facing difficult economic conditions and declining purchasing power.
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Facing this situation, deputy Loubna Sghiri, member of the Progress and Socialism group, has challenged Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit. She denounces an excessive and unjustified profit-seeking approach. While the elected official acknowledges merchants’ right to benefit from this economic momentum, she insists that this approach must imperatively comply with current legislation and not exploit public attendance.
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To end these abuses, the representative demands immediate repressive and preventive measures. She calls for intervention by local authorities to verify clear and transparent price displays before any order. Her political group directly questions the ministry on the legality of these sudden increases and requests the issuance of strict directives to tighten control over these spaces and protect consumer rights during these major sporting events.
