Spain to push for end of daylight savings at European level

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced that he will propose to the EU that daylight savings be scrapped.

"It no longer makes sense," the Socialist leader argues. "It barely helps save energy and has a negative impact on people's health and lives," he posted in a message on social media.

The Spanish government will make the proposal to the Energy Council on Monday, requesting that the relevant authorities review the clock changes, with the aim of eliminating the practice by 2026.

In surveys that ask Spaniards and Europeans about this issue, the majority of respondents are always against the changing of the hours.

The PM recalled that the European Parliament already approved a change in this ambit 6 years ago. "Useful policy is the one that listens to citizens, listens to science and brings it into its legislation," he added.

This weekend, on the morning of October 25 to 26, the time will go back an hour. So, at 3 am, it will auomatically go back to 2 am.

The seasonal time change is regulated at European level, and is mandatory and simultaneous across all member states.

In an interview with Cafè d'Idees, the Spanish vice president Teresa Ribera said that if the clock changes were scrapped, then Spain would most likely keep winter time. 

The seasonal time change has been in effect throughout Europe since 1980, when the European Economic Community began coordinating the summer and winter times of its member countries.

At the time, it was justified by the need to make more use of daylight hours to reduce energy consumption and harmonize the functioning of the common market.

After half a century, the Spanish executive argues that the evolution of the economy, technology and social habits have rendered this measure obsolete.