Morocco ends daylight saving time, returns to gmt permanently

After years of national debate, Morocco has decided to permanently abandon the GMT+1 time offset. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced today that the country will revert to its legal time (GMT) at the end of the upcoming summer. This long-awaited decision directly responds to persistent calls from citizens over the past years.

Speaking to public television channels following the government council meeting on Thursday, 25 June 2026, Akhannouch stated that the move follows extensive consultations within the ruling coalition and careful consideration of public grievances. He acknowledged that maintaining daylight saving time had caused significant disruption for many Moroccans, prompting the government to opt for a return to standard time.

“This choice stems from a thorough evaluation of the impacts of the current summer time and fully takes into account the remarks made in the past,” Akhannouch emphasised.

The announcement puts an end to a prolonged controversy. Since the adoption of the additional hour, numerous citizens and civil society actors have repeatedly demanded a return to the original time zone, which they consider far more suitable for daily life, children’s school schedules, and the social well-being of the population.