Time change in the EU: Politics blocks final decision!

Time change in the EU: Politics blocks final decision!

The debate about the time change in the European Union remains deadlocked. Despite a proposal from the EU Commission in 2018 to abolish seasonal time adjustment, there is still no agreement among member states. On the last Sunday in March the clock is set forward again by one hour, while Austria favors permanent summer time. The proposal gives countries the choice between permanent summer or winter time. Yes, how kosmo.at reported, many countries are hesitant as they prefer a uniform time zone to avoid economic disadvantages.

An EU-wide survey shows that 84 percent of respondents are in favor of an end to the time change, with the majority preferring permanent summer time. Germans are particularly interested in this topic, as they lead the surveys with around three million out of 4.6 million participants. Loud br.de Political actors have not seriously discussed the issue since 2019. However, important challenges such as the consequences of the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine are at the forefront of the political agenda.

Political blockages and health concerns

Opponents of the time change cite health problems and suspected traffic accidents as the main argument against the practice. Experts warn that switching twice can have negative effects on people's circadian rhythms. Despite this, none of the EU governments have yet brought themselves to make a final decision, meaning citizens will continue to have to change their clocks every six months. The European regulation also requires a coordinated approach to avoid a confusion of different time zones, which puts additional pressure on policymakers.