Could this finally be the end of Daylight Savings Time? No more clock changes, says Spanish PM
Pedro Sánchez is ready to present a formal proposition to the EU to scrap the biannual time change altogether
As the clocks prepare to fall back once again this weekend, Spain’s Prime Minister and President Pedro Sánchez has announced that the country wants to take a bold step towards ending the twice-yearly ritual altogether. This Monday, Spain will formally propose to the European Union that Daylight Saving Time be scrapped for good next year.
The move, shared by Sánchez on social media, comes during the week when Europe is due to switch to winter time, something the Spanish government believes has become unnecessary and outdated.
“This time change no longer makes sense,” Sánchez said, noting that the majority of citizens want it abolished and that science shows it “no longer saves energy and disrupts biological rhythms”.
The clocks are scheduled to go back an hour this Sunday October 26, when 2am will become 1am, giving us all an extra hour in bed.
Spain will present its case to scrap such time changes at the upcoming EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, where ministers from Member States will meet to discuss the issue. While Sánchez has not confirmed whether Spain favours keeping summer or winter time permanently, the government’s position will rest on three main arguments: public support, lack of proven energy savings and the negative impact on health and wellbeing caused by biannual clock changes.
Government sources point out that 66% of Spaniards want the practice to end, echoing wider European sentiment. Back in 2018, a public consultation by the European Commission drew responses from 4.6 million people, 84% of whom voted to abolish Daylight Saving Time.
The European Parliament followed suit in 2019, but a qualified majority among Member States was not achieved at the time.
Now, with the EU’s current timeline for reviewing the rule due to end in 2026, Spain sees a renewed opportunity to put the matter back on the table.
The practice dates back to 1980, when the European Economic Community coordinated seasonal time changes to make better use of daylight and reduce energy consumption.
But with today’s technological advances, shifting work patterns and modern energy systems, the Spanish government believes the original reasons no longer apply.
By pushing for an end to the practice, the Spanish Executive says it hopes to send a clear message that “Member States must listen to their citizens, heed scientific evidence and show that they are capable of updating their policies in line with the times.”
If the proposal gains traction, 2025 could mark the last time Spaniards are asked to adjust their clocks – a change that, for many, would be very welcome indeed.
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
