The Moroccan government announced on Thursday that the country will revert to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) starting September 20, following eight years of permanent daylight saving time (GMT+1). This decision was reached after extensive debates, according to reports from AFP.
Morocco first adopted daylight saving time in 2008, from April to September, to reduce energy consumption and align its clock with that of its main economic partners in Europe, as reported by Agerpres.
However, in 2018, the government issued a decree to extend GMT+1 throughout the entire year, except during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. This change aimed to eliminate seasonal time shifts and their impacts on various levels.
This decision faced increasing opposition over the years, raising questions about its effectiveness in saving energy and its potential health impacts, particularly on younger populations.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced the return to GMT year-round in response to public expectations. This effectively nullifies the 2018 decree, intending to address the challenges posed by the additional hour to citizens.
The change will take effect at 02:00 AM on Sunday, September 20. This announcement also carries political weight, coming less than three months before the legislative elections scheduled for September 23.
Former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane recently pledged to abolish daylight saving time if his moderate Islamist party, the Justice and Development Party, returns to power.
