Every year the time change sparks new discussions – this time even at EU level. In an inflammatory letter, 66 EU parliamentarians from various political groups and countries demand that the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, abolish the time change.
When that time comes again, the time change will lead to a new discussion – this time with the participation of the European Union. In an incendiary letter, 66 EU parliamentarians from different factions and countries demand that the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), finally fulfill her promise to end the time change that started in 1980.
Abolition has long been decided
There is excitement among politicians because the end of the time change has actually been decided a long time ago. Even before Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) took office as President of the European Commission in 2019, Brussels had announced the end of the time change. Critics – such as EU MP Markus Ferber (CSU) – are therefore calling on the head of the Commission to finally get rid of this unresolved legacy.
They cite the negative impact on the sleeping patterns of millions of EU citizens, which “increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes” and could also “lead to an increase in road accidents”. However, the hoped-for effect (energy savings) did not materialize at all.
84 percent of EU citizens are against the time change
The arguments against the time change are by no means new: in 2018, an extensive EU-wide survey showed that 84 percent of citizens rejected the change from summer to winter time. As a result of the investigation, the EU Parliament also spoke in favor of ending the time change. The then President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, even publicly assured: “The time change will be abolished.”
But when it had to be made concrete at state level – the responsibility lies with the Ministers of Transport – the agreement stalled. Ultimately, the corona pandemic brought the process to a complete standstill. While discussions are still ongoing in the EU, many countries have already said goodbye to the time change. This is also the case in Ukraine: the clocks are adjusted for the last time on Sunday morning, after which winter time will definitively apply.
Standard time starts in October
This year the clocks will change to winter time every year on the night of October 26 to 27. This means that we can sleep an hour longer on Sunday. Standard time begins in October, when the clocks are reset from three o’clock to two o’clock and Central European Time (CET) comes into effect. This period lasts five months, from the end of October to the end of March. The remaining seven months fall in summer time, also known as Central European Summer Time (CEST).
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
