A Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament, Inna Hengari, has criticised the 2025/26 Appropriation Bill as a rushed and uninspired financial plan that fails to deliver transformative change under the new administration. 

Contributing to the budget debate in the National Assembly, Hengari argued that the financial blueprint lacks the urgency needed to address Namibia's structural economic challenges and misses the opportunity to redefine national development priorities.

One of her strongest criticisms was the budget's failure to reflect the new ministerial mergers announced by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

She also called attention to the lengthy post-election transition period, describing the three- to four-month gap between elections and the swearing-in of new leaders as a serious obstacle to effective budget planning. Hengari proposed constitutional reforms to align political transitions with the national budgeting process.

Hengari highlighted Namibia's deepening housing crisis and youth unemployment, which remains above 50%. She proposed increasing housing subsidies, facilitating access to mortgage finance and reviving the 121 Constituency SME Fund alongside a Youth Employment Tax Incentive.

"A nation where citizens cannot afford shelter is a nation on the brink of social collapse. The budget makes no targeted provisions to address Namibia's soaring youth unemployment rate. Budgeting alone does not build roads, hospitals or classrooms – execution does."

Despite acknowledging the positive trend towards reducing the fiscal deficit—from 8.5% in 2020/21 to 3.4% in 2024/25— she warned against austerity policies that could harm national development goals.

She also urged the government to allocate more funds to regional and local authorities by proposing a Local Development Conditional Grant to promote decentralised development.