The decision, approved during the Government Council meeting on June 25, marks the end of Morocco’s year-round daylight saving time policy and reinstates the country’s legal time as GMT.
Speaking to state television following the cabinet meeting, Akhannouch said the move came after extensive consultations within the governing majority and careful consideration of public concerns raised over recent years.
The head of government acknowledged that maintaining GMT+1 had created significant challenges for many Moroccans, prompting the government to restore the Kingdom’s standard time.
“This decision follows a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the current daylight saving time system and fully takes into account the observations raised in recent years,” Akhannouch said.
The announcement brings to a close a long-running national debate. Since Morocco adopted GMT+1 on a permanent basis, citizens and civil society groups have repeatedly called for a return to GMT, arguing that it better aligns with daily life, improves schoolchildren’s well-being and promotes a healthier social balance.
