Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

The EU Just Voted To End Daylight Saving Time—But That Was The Easy Part

The EU Just Voted To End Daylight Saving Time—But That Was The Easy Part
Sharon Lapkin / Getty Images

European Parliament has come one step closer to abolishing seasonal time changes throughout Europe. According to The Local's German division. MEPs (Member of European Parliament) on the Committee on Transport and Tourism voted 23-11 in favor of ending the EU's seasonal time changes in a vote on Monday.

This isn't the final say in the matter, however, as the Council of Member States must also vote to obtain a union-wide consensus. If the change is approved, it would be up to each Member State to determine whether to comply with the change. It also wouldn't go into effect until 2021.


There is also some disagreement as to how to implement the change, some supporting switching to Summer Time and others to Winter Time.

This change could have a major impact on air and rail travel, as well as other forms of transportation, and the shipping of goods.

This vote comes after an EU-wide poll showed that 84% of respondents supported ending the biannual time change.

Swedish MEP Marita Ulvskog gave a statement after the vote:

"We have decided to see that we don't go through this time change between the different seasonal periods. We don't have summer time and winter time, in the way we have today. That also means that the Member States can decide if they want to have permanent summer time or permanent winter time."
"Of course there has to be information and a system that works, so that you adjust to that because transports, flights, traffic, and lots of other things wouldn't work if we couldn't see to that you are well informed and you can adjust to this change."
"We will decide in the Parliament when we have our next session in late March and after that it is for the Council and the Member States to say how they want to end this journey."
"Because it's a journey. Lots of people have been travelling with us. More than 4 million Europeans have written to the European Union to say that they are not in favour of making those time changes every year."


Many people on Twitter seemed to support the decision.


Not everyone agrees with the decision, many citing ways it might make life more complicated.





Quite a few people from around the globe expressed interest in their countries making the change as well.




The EU has had unified summer time and winter time changes since 1980, when they were synchronized "in order to ensure a harmonised approach to time switching within the single market," according to a press release from the European Parliament. Any major changes in the way time is standardized within the EU must also be handled in a similarly harmonious fashion to avoid interruptions to European's daily lives.

More from News

Elon Musk; Matt Gaetz
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Elon Musk Mocked For Hilariously Wrong Prediction About Matt Gaetz—And Yeah, That Did Not Age Well

After former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz dropped out of contention for President-elect Donald Trump's Attorney General post, a hilariously over the top post from billionaire Elon Musk—who is tapped to lead Trump's "Department" of Government Efficiency—resurfaced that showcases how wrong Musk was about Gaetz's future within the second Trump administration.

Gaetz was previously the subject of a Justice Department investigation into alleged sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl and has faced scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee over accusations of sexual misconduct. However, that inquiry effectively concluded last week when Gaetz announced his resignation from Congress.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Abby Phillip and Bruce LeVell
CNN

CNN Host Shuts Down Conservative For Calling Female Guest 'Dear'—And People Are Cheering

CNN host Abby Phillip stepped in after Bruce LeVell—the former executive director of President-elect Donald Trump’s 2016 National Diversity Coalition—called Democratic strategist Jennifer Roginsky "dear" during a panel discussion.

The panel had convened to discuss the sex trafficking allegations about former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who yesterday withdrew his name from consideration for being Trump's pick for Attorney General.

Keep ReadingShow less
Billy Bob Thornton
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

Billy Bob Thornton Gets Hilariously Candid About Why He Wears Women's Jeans

Actor Billy Bob Thornton has a unique style all his own and he specifically talked about his clothing preference not found in the men's section.

During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show Thornton revealed he likes wearing women's jeans and explained why.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Pugh
Marleen Moise/Getty Images

Florence Pugh Shares 'Mind-Boggling' Health Diagnosis In Powerful Reminder To Women

27-year-old actress Florence Pugh reminded fans this week of the importance of performing regular health checks, especially when your body seems to be telling you something.

While on the She MD Podcast, Pugh explained that she'd been experiencing some pain and discomfort, and at one point, she was "having weird dreams" and she just had a "sudden feeling" that she needed to go to the doctor.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jay Leno
Inside Edition

Heavily-Bruised Jay Leno Opens Up About Nasty Fall The Left Him Wearing An Eye Patch

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno revealed what led to him getting bruised up and wearing an eye patch.

The 74-year-old comedian, also known for his Primetime talk show The Jay Leno Show, spoke to TMZ and Inside Edition about having a bad fall on Saturday night while he was staying at a hotel on top of a hill.

Keep ReadingShow less