The Moroccan government confirmed Thursday that its decision to return to the Kingdom’s legal time standard, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), beginning Sept. 20 is final and will not be subject to further debate.
Government spokesperson and Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament Mustapha Baitas said the move is backed by a government decree approved by the Cabinet, making it a definitive decision.
“The government interacted positively with citizens’ demands and listened to them,” Baitas said during the weekly press briefing following the Cabinet meeting.
His comments came hours after Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced that Morocco would abandon the permanent GMT+1 system adopted in 2018 and return to GMT, citing public demand and discussions held within the governing majority.
Baitas said the issue had been repeatedly raised during majority coalition meetings and that the government determined the time was right to formally adopt the decree and move forward with implementation.
The change will take effect at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, when clocks will be set back by one hour.
“After the end of the summer period, we will return to legal time, namely Greenwich Mean Time,” Baitas said.
The Cabinet approved Decree No. 2.26.530 concerning Morocco’s legal time. The text was presented by Baitas on behalf of Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni.
The decree restores the legal time established under Royal Decree No. 455.67 of June 2, 1967, which defines Morocco’s official time as GMT.
As part of the reform, the government will repeal Decree No. 2.18.855 of Oct. 26, 2018, which introduced the year-round GMT+1 system by permanently adding 60 minutes to the country’s legal time.
The decision marks the end of nearly eight years of permanent daylight saving time in Morocco, a policy that had generated recurring public debate over its effects on daily life, education and work schedules.
Government officials said the return to GMT reflects citizens’ expectations and the executive’s willingness to respond to concerns raised by the public.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.