Morocco to abandon year-round GMT+1, Akhannouch announces

Morocco will abandon year-round GMT+1 and return to GMT after the end of the summer season, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced on Thursday, saying the decision followed repeated public demands and discussions within the governing majority.

Speaking to Medi 1 TV, Akhannouch said the government had decided to respond to Moroccans' calls after the issue was repeatedly raised during meetings of the ruling coalition. He said the decision was taken after listening to citizens' demands and reflected the government's commitment to addressing one of the majority's longstanding requests.

Morocco has observed GMT+1 year-round since October 2018, temporarily reverting to GMT only during the holy month of Ramadan. In recent months, however, calls to scrap the permanent daylight-saving time system have intensified, with critics arguing that it negatively affects daily life, particularly for schoolchildren and workers.