EU hopes new study can break deadlock over seasonal clock changes

The European Commission hopes a new study will help break the deadlock among EU member states over ending the twice-yearly clock changes, a Commission spokesperson said on Friday. The study is expected to be completed by the end of this year, but any change still depends on agreement among the member states.

The Commission proposed ending the seasonal changes in 2018. The European Parliament backed the proposal in March 2019, but governments have not agreed on whether to adopt it. Under the proposal, each member state would choose between permanent winter time and permanent summer time.

The Commission’s position has not changed, the spokesperson said, adding that it would continue discussions with member states. The disagreement means the clocks are still due to go back one hour this weekend, marking the start of winter time, and forward again on 29 March.