Morocco's decision to permanently adopt GMT+1 year-round, effectively abolishing seasonal clock changes, continues to be a source of public and expert debate. The shift, made official by a decree in October 2018, was justified by the government as a measure to align the country's working hours with its economic partners and to achieve energy savings.
Authorities, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, have consistently cited benefits such as reduced electricity consumption during peak evening hours and improved synchronization with European financial markets. However, these claimed energy gains have been contested by some studies and experts who argue the savings are marginal or offset by increased morning usage.
Opposition to the permanent time zone is multifaceted. Critics, including civil society groups and some parliamentarians, point to social and religious disruptions, such as later sunrises in winter leading to darker mornings for schoolchildren and workers. Public opinion surveys have repeatedly shown a significant portion of the population favors a return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter.
The debate resurfaced prominently in late 2025 and early 2026, with renewed calls in parliament and the media for a re-evaluation of the policy. Proponents of change argue the social costs outweigh the economic benefits, while the government maintains its position that the permanent GMT+1 arrangement is in the national interest for stability and economic efficiency.
