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Almost half of Moroccans (43%) are against the daylight saving time (GMT+1), which the nation has maintained continuously since 2018, as per a new report published by Group Sunergia and L’Economiste.

The most significant opposition is found among individuals between the ages of 25 and 44, those living in urban areas, and people with higher earnings.

Initially launched to bring Morocco in line with global markets and enhance energy efficiency, the action, according to the same source, “continues to be contentious, as many residents claim it interferes with their daily lives and impacts their quality of life.”

The research indicated that just 28% of Moroccans back GMT+1, with 22% expressing strong agreement.

More support is observed among individuals aged 55 to 64 and those from lower income groups.

Just 17% of Moroccans think that daylight saving time has a beneficial effect on their lives, with the majority of this group being individuals between the ages of 55 and 64.

However, 40% of Moroccans claim that GMT+1 has a negative impact on their lives, particularly among young adults aged 25–44, city dwellers, and individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

Towards the end of 2018, the Moroccan authorities gave their approval to a decreeTo establish daylight saving time as permanent, adjusting its clock changes according to Ramadan, leading to opposition and student demonstrations in multiple cities. The decision was eventually supported by the Constitutional Court in March 2019, which stated “it was within the authority of the executive branch.”

Although the government highlights that the time adjustment is advantageous for energy conservation and harmonizing with global allies, numerous citizens and community organizations are expressing worries regarding the adverse effects of daylight saving time.

Many nations have recently reverted to their normal time, discarding daylight saving time in favor of a fixed clock throughout the year, such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, China, Mexico, and Egypt.

Earlier this week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared that Spain will advocate for the EuropeanThe union aims to eliminate the twice-yearly adjustment to daylight saving time, stating, “I no longer find any justification for this.”

He highlighted that the measure does not conserve energy and only interferes with human biological cycles twice annually.

A 2018 study conducted by the European Commission revealed that 84 percent of EU residents were against the practice of changing the clock.

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