Clocks ‘move forwards one hour’ for the spring and summer months next Sunday (March 29) – but this may be one of the last times: Brussels is getting serious about doing away with this seasonal to-ing and fro-ing, once and for all.
No-one should hold their breaths. The same ‘news’ was given in 2019, when the bottom line was that time would remain the same all year round from 2021 – but still there were the ‘dissenters’, Portugal being among them.
Portugal’s reasoning was that to run to one constant time would be to “go against science”. While this was never really fully explained, other countries too had their misgivings for one reason or other – and thus nothing moved forwards.
But Brussels’ determination to get everyone on board hasn’t dimmed, and now, in the middle of an unprecedented global crisis, it seems there are still some in the higher echelons of decision-making who are concerned about how we all set our clocks.
Tabloid Correio da Manhã explains that “Brussels thinks that reaching a consensus is still possible. It will be presenting a study to this effect this year, with member states showing themselves open to analysing it.”
According to other reports, the push for a constant hour (winter or summertime? No-one seems to be able to decide on that, either) refers to impacts on health, both physical and mental, and ‘negligible energy savings (which is one of the main reasons for the hour changes in the first place).
Passing legislation needed to stop us all changing clocks back and forth every year “requires the support of a qualified majority of the Council of the European Union, which means at least 15 member states”, says connexionfrance. “Only then can member states and MEPs negotiate a final text, and put the whole matter to a vote.”
Thus, for those who really don’t like the idea of losing an hour’s sleep next Sunday, take heart: this may be one of the last year’s where you grumble “is that really the time?!”
Source material: Correio da Manhã/ connexionfrance.com
