The European Commission has decided to withdraw its 2018 directive proposal aimed at ending the biannual clock changes across the EU.
The decision, which is not yet final, comes as a result of a prolonged deadlock within the Council of the European Union, according to European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen.
The directive, initially introduced under former Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, was intended to abolish the seasonal time change following public consultations and citizen demands. Despite being swiftly approved by the European Parliament, the proposal became stalled in the Council, as member states failed to reach a consensus on whether to adopt permanent summer or winter time.
Inclusion in the EU’s “Omnibus” Deregulation Package
The withdrawal of the time change directive is part of a broader simplification package—known as the “Omnibus”—championed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This initiative aims to reduce bureaucratic complexity within the EU.
While the Commission has announced its intention to withdraw the directive, both the European Parliament and the Council now have the opportunity to express their opinions on the matter. Member states and MEPs will have a few months to submit their responses to the Commission in written form before a final decision is made.
“It is not yet a definitive decision, but we will carefully consider their feedback before making a final determination,” Itkonen said. The Commission expects to reach a conclusion within the coming months.
Seven Years of Uncertainty
The initiative to end the seasonal clock changes was first introduced in 2018 after public consultations revealed strong support for scrapping the biannual shift. The proposal was particularly welcomed by countries such as Germany and Poland, which have shown greater interest in abolishing the practice. In contrast, southern European nations displayed less enthusiasm, contributing to the deadlock.
Despite initial momentum, the proposal became mired in disagreement among the EU’s 27 member states, as they failed to agree on whether to adopt permanent summer or winter time. With no consensus in sight, the directive was effectively sidelined, gathering dust for over five years.
The Future of Time Change in the EU
The potential withdrawal of the directive signals the end of any immediate efforts to end seasonal clock changes across the EU bloc. Unless a new initiative is introduced, the EU is likely to continue observing the twice-yearly shift between standard time and daylight saving time.
The Commission’s final decision will depend on the responses received from the European Parliament and the Council. However, given the years of inaction and persistent lack of agreement, the prospects of reviving the directive appear slim.
For now, the next clock change in Europe is scheduled for Sunday, 30 March 2025, when most EU countries will move their clocks forward by one hour to daylight saving time.
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