The citizen’s livelihood is not a testing ground: fears over the dollar and rising prices
The citizen’s livelihood is not a testing ground: fears over the dollar and rising prices
The citizen’s livelihood is not a testing ground: fears over the dollar and rising prices
Renewed circulation of proposals to raise the dollar exchange rate to levels that could reach 1,500 dinars, as part of discussions linked to the 2027 budget, has revived public concern in Iraq. So far the final rate has not been decided and there is no official confirmation adopting that figure, while the Central Bank’s website shows an official rate of 1,310 dinars to the dollar.
But the lack of a settled decision does not erase the effect of the debate itself; whenever differing numbers and unclear statements spread, fears grow among citizens and traders, and talk of price increases becomes present in markets and homes. People fear that any rise in the dollar will translate into higher costs for goods and services, at a time when many families are struggling to meet basic needs.
The citizen’s livelihood should not be the subject of experiments or decisions presented without clarifying their impact on low‑income earners, employees and pensioners. Any potential change in the exchange rate requires a clear and advance explanation: what are the justifications? How will purchasing power be protected? What measures will prevent its being exploited to drive up prices excessively?
Circulating unresolved proposals in a way that suggests they are definitive decisions unsettles the market and increases people’s fears. Responsibility requires the relevant authorities to state the facts clearly, avoid ambiguous statements, and monitor markets so that citizens do not pay the price for rumors, speculation or unjustified increases.
Against this backdrop of uncertainty the question occupying Iraqis remains: will protecting citizens’ livelihoods be prioritized over financial calculations, or will families be left to face a new wave of price hikes? Price stability is a public responsibility, and any decision affecting the exchange rate should be studied carefully, announced transparently, and accompanied by concrete steps to protect people from a decline in their purchasing power.
