Morocco to Restore GMT, Concluding GMT+1 Shift BODY: CITY, Morocco – Morocco is poised to revert to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) by the end of September, marking the conclusion of a four-year experiment with GMT+1. This decision, announced by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, comes in response to public demands and reflects a move back to the legal time established by King Hassan II in 1967.
In 2018, Morocco adopted GMT+1 to better align with key economic partners, notably France and Spain.
The shift was intended to streamline business operations and strengthen economic ties.
However, it also stirred controversy, with critics contending that the change disrupted daily life, especially during winter, when daylight hours were shorter. Public discontent reached a peak, with a viral petition gathering hundreds of thousands of signatures. Critics argued that the time change affected school schedules, work-life balance, and potentially had long-term health implications.
A recent analysis by the African Center for Strategic and Digital Studies (CAESD) questioned the economic benefits of the GMT+1 shift, suggesting that while the intention was good, the actual gains were limited and the costs to health and social well-being were significant.
As Morocco prepares for the legislative elections approaching, the return to GMT is a topic of interest, with some viewing it as a well overdue change, while others suspect it could be an electoral ploy.
The decision, whatever its motivation, has sparked a national debate on the balance between economic interests and public welfare.
The transition to GMT is expected to have wide — ranging effects, influencing travel schedules, business operations, and daily routines. It will also likely affect Morocco’s relationship with its European neighbors in terms of economic coordination. Morocco’s move back to GMT stands as a testament to the complex interplay between economic strategies and public welfare, emphasizing the need for policy decisions that consider the well-being of the population.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
