This Sunday, Europeans will once again set their clocks forward by one hour as daylight saving time begins – despite the European Parliament’s decision six years ago to end the practice. However, member states remain deadlocked over whether to adopt permanent summer or winter time, leaving the issue unresolved.
The European Union (then the European Economic Community) first considered introducing daylight saving time in the 1980s. By the following year, member states gradually began adjusting their clocks twice a year to align with a standardised time change. The measure aimed to harmonise timekeeping across countries, reducing trade disruptions and travel confusion. Longer daylight hours were also expected to save electricity.
However, in the decades since, technological advancements, including energy-efficient LED lighting and the rise of e-commerce, have changed the landscape. A 2018 EU-wide survey found that 84 percent of respondents favoured ending the practice of switching clocks.
The following year, the European Parliament voted to abolish the time change as early as 2021. Yet, four years later, no action has been taken. As the last Sunday in March approaches, Europeans will once again lose one hour of sleep. While the Parliament has made its stance clear, unanimous agreement among all EU nations is required to finalise the decision – a consensus that remains elusive.
Former Transport and Tourism Committee member and Renew Europe MEP Petras Auštrevičius expressed frustration over the stalemate.
“I believe the authorities are simply ignoring what people have repeatedly and rationally voiced. The time change benefits no one, and it’s time to acknowledge that and make this seemingly simple decision. But some countries are dragging their feet, and because of their stubbornness, more than 80 percent of Europeans continue to suffer,” he told LRT.
LRT sources indicate that the European Commission considered dropping the issue altogether this year due to the prolonged deadlock. If that were to happen, the biannual clock change would continue indefinitely.
However, in response to an inquiry from LRT, the Commission confirmed that despite such discussions, the issue remains on the agenda.
“This is not the easiest matter for member states, but ultimately, they need to understand each other and reach an agreement,” European Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said.
Green Party MEP Virginijus Sinkevičius, a current member of the Transport and Tourism Committee, warned that abandoning the proposal would violate EU treaties.
“For the Commission to withdraw its proposal, there would need to be fundamental changes to its basis. That hasn’t happened. If the Commission had retracted it, it would have breached the treaties. Several dozen MEPs and I contacted the Commission to highlight this and urged them instead to push member states toward a decision so that interinstitutional negotiations can begin. Many people are frustrated with the clock changes,” he said.
The letter, seen by LRT, has been signed by more than 60 MEPs from various political groups, urging the Commission to take action.
Sinkevičius noted that the primary opposition comes from southern EU nations: “They see this issue very differently. Until we have a common position among member states, negotiations cannot begin.”
Northern European countries generally favour permanent winter time, while southern nations prefer summer time. Lithuania, too, supports permanent summer time for its longer daylight hours.
With no agreement in sight, politicians warn that the debate may persist for another decade, leaving citizens, businesses, and farmers without resolution. The Commission admits it lacks the authority to force member states to decide. As a result, Europeans will continue adjusting their clocks indefinitely.
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