Morocco abandons GMT+1 permanently, returns to Greenwich Mean Time

The conclusion of a lengthy national discussion has arrived. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch declared today that Morocco will permanently scrap the extra hour (GMT+1) at the end of next summer, reverting to the kingdom’s legal time (GMT). This long-awaited decision directly addresses the public appeals voiced in recent years.

In a statement to public television channels delivered after the government council meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026, Aziz Akhannouch specified that the measure follows a series of consultations within the ruling coalition and careful consideration of population grievances. The head of the executive acknowledged that maintaining daylight saving time had caused significant inconvenience for a large portion of Moroccans, leading the government to opt for a return to normal.

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

This announcement closes a long-running controversy. Since the adoption of the extra hour, many citizens and civil society actors have persistently demanded a return to the original time zone, seen as far more suited to daily life rhythms, the health of schoolchildren, and the social balance of the population.