Spain is pushing for a major change in European time keeping as the winter months approach. With days getting shorter and nights longer, clocks across Europe are set to go back an hour this coming Sunday.
In line with normal practice, October 26 will usher in winter time in both Britain and the EU. Clocks will revert again to daylight saving time on March 29, 2026, as summer approaches. The twice yearly ritual has been a feature of life on the European continent for 117 years, but that could all be about to end if the Spanish Government gets its way.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez plans to petition the EU to abolish the practice of turning the clocks back and forward.
In a video posted on Monday to his X social media channel, the Spanish leader said “it no longer makes sense” to change the clocks.
He claimed the practice makes little difference to energy saving and added it has a detrimental effect on the health and lives of ordinary people.
“In opinion polls, Spaniards and Europeans are mostly against switching time,” he wrote.
Mr Sanchez said his Government would the raise the issue at the Monday meeting of the EU’s Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in Luxembourg. Spain had originally not planned to add the proposal to the meeting’s agenda, but then had a change of heart at the last moment.
Secretary of State for Energy, Joan Groizard, who attended the conference, said he asked for it to be included “to reopen the debate on the time change” that has been stalled for years.
The European Parliament voted in 2019 to abolish the time switch, but events were overtaken by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resolution was never implemented.
“The energy system is changing a lot and it is important to reopen the debate to find a solution that works as well as possible,” Mr Groizard said. “We are aware of European diversity, but we understand that it is important to reopen the debate and address an important issue for citizens.”
The Spanish prime minister wants the change to come into effect as soon as the autumn of 2026.
“What is useful politics? Well, the one that listens to citizens, also to science, and then makes them law,” he added in conclusion.
All 27-EU members would have to agree to the change for it to be implemented across the continent.
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