Praia, Oct. 2, 2026 (Lusa) - The leader of the Movement for Democracy (MpD, the opposition in Cabo Verde), Paulo Veiga, on Friday called on the government to reinstate the mechanism introduced by the previous government to cap fuel price rises.
The leader proposed «immediately extending the mechanism to cover gas, petrol, diesel, fishing fuels and those used in electricity generation, with caps on monthly price rises».
«This is the measure that the MpD government implemented between April and June, and it can be funded by the additional tax revenue the state is collecting as a result of the price rises,» he added.
Paulo Veiga was speaking at a press conference on the first 100 days of government under the African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV), led by Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho.
The MpD leader said that, in April, the government of the time «capped fuel price rises, with the State absorbing around 70% of the increase. This measure was valid until 30 June».
«On 2 July, the new government decided not to renew it. The consequences are plain to see. Since June, petrol has risen by 21%, diesel by 39%, fishing diesel by 61% and diesel used to generate electricity by 78%», he explained, citing figures from the regulator.
Paulo Veiga noted that the current government had decided to absorb 70% of the increase in cooking gas prices.
«The government made that decision for gas, and rightly so. And it decided not to do so for petrol and diesel: it is a choice» which, according to Paulo Veiga, the government «should have taken on, rather than attributing [the price rise] to the market».
«The Government dropped [the measure] in July and is now realising, in October, that it is needed,» he added.
The Government announced on Thursday that it is «working» on a way to stabilise fuel prices, following a 12% rise in petrol and diesel prices in October, in line with international markets.
In Cabo Verde, petrol now costs 197.2 escudos (€1.79) and diesel has risen to 190.3 escudos (€1.73).
These are the highest prices, at least since January 2024, and it is also the largest monthly increase during this period, in line with trends elsewhere in the world.
The price of cooking gas rose by 5.7% to 1,868 escudos (€16.96) and has avoided a larger increase due to the mitigation measures currently in place.
Turning to other issues, Paulo Veiga described the first 100 days of government as a period of «profound disorganisation» and an «absence of solutions for families on the island of Fogo», who are without power, «for fishermen, taxi drivers and farmers» and «for the people of Brava who are still waiting for their ferry» to connect with that island.
Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho is due to hold a press conference on Monday to take stock of the first 100 days in office.
LFO/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
