Morocco rejects fuel price cap and Samir Refinery takeover

Morocco’s Upper House has voted down two high-profile legislative proposals, exposing deep political fragmentation over the sensitive issues of retail fuel pricing and the nationalisation of the idled Samir refinery, MAP reported on June 18. 

The rejection followed a plenary session vote where 29 councillors opposed the bills. The blocking majority included members of the governing coalition alongside representatives from the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), which is linked to the Independence Party. Conversely, only 10 councillors backed the initiatives, while one Socialist Group member abstained. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) opted to boycott the vote entirely.

The outcome effectively halts immediate legislative efforts to cushion consumers from global market volatility. Lawmakers and trade unions have consistently lobbied for market governance reviews and a strict price cap to curb the domestic cost of living.

The second defeated proposal sought to transfer the assets of Samir, the country’s sole oil refinery, into public state ownership. Proponents argued that reviving the refinery would anchor fuel reserves and stabilise national energy security. However, government-aligned opponents resisted and said they preferred alternative commercial resolutions for the company following its financial collapse.

The decisive plenary vote marks a reversal for opposition and union blocs, who had successfully advanced the texts through a recent finance committee during an unexpected absence of majority lawmakers. Despite the tactical committee breakthrough, the executive-backed majority reasserted control to defeat the reforms.