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"Poland Advocates for Elimination of Daylight Saving Time within EU"

European Commission supports Poland's endeavor to eliminate daylight saving time (DST) within the European Union, aiming to prevent the biannual clock adjustments. Currently presiding over the EU, Poland intends to abolish DST as part of its presidency agenda.

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read
European Commission provides support for Poland's endeavor to eliminate daylight saving time (DST)...
European Commission provides support for Poland's endeavor to eliminate daylight saving time (DST) throughout the European Union, aiming to cease the biannual adjustment of clocks. With the Polish government, holding the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, making the abolition of DST a priority in its agenda.

"Poland Advocates for Elimination of Daylight Saving Time within EU"

The European Union faces renewed pressure to discontinue daylight saving time (DST), with Poland leading the charge and gaining backing from the European Commission. This push comes as Poland holds the rotating presidency of the EU and has prioritized eliminating DST as part of its agenda.

On Wednesday, Polish Development Minister Krzysztof Paszyk met with European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas to discuss the initiative. According to Małgorzata Dzieciniak, spokesperson for Poland's development ministry, the commissioner supports the move to abolish the time change. Brussels has encouraged the resumption of talks during the current Polish presidency in an effort to find a solution.

Efforts to scrap DST within the EU have been ongoing for years, with the European Commission proposing an end to the practice in 2018 and receiving support from the European Parliament. However, progress stalled due to resistance from some member states.

Now, Poland has revived the debate, arguing that abandoning DST would bring economic and health benefits. Minister Paszyk has positioned this issue as a top priority for Poland's presidency, running through the first half of 2025.

Supporters of the move claim that the twice-yearly clock changes negatively affect people's health, productivity, and economic stability. They argue that the confusion and costs caused by the time change outweigh any energy savings associated with DST.

Numerous studies have linked DST transitions to negative health effects, such as sleep disturbances, increased stress, and a higher risk of heart attacks. Public sentiment in Poland strongly favors ending the practice, with polls showing 70% of Poles favoring its elimination.

Despite growing support for abolishing DST, the EU has yet to make a decision. In 2019, discussions stalled when member states failed to agree on either permanently adopting standard time or daylight saving time. The European Commission has since left the decision to individual countries, although Poland is pressing for EU-wide coordination on the issue.

Discussions continue, with Poland seeking to unite EU member states behind a single, definitive policy on DST. The success of Warsaw's push depends on its ability to negotiate compromises among nations with varying preferences on time arrangements.

[Background]: Daylight saving time was initially introduced during World War I for energy conservation, with many countries later adopting it permanently. The EU standardized time changes in 1996, requiring all member states to adjust clocks in March and October. However, concerns over the effectiveness of DST and its impact on health and the economy have fueled calls for its abolition. The fate of daylight saving time in the EU remains uncertain as discussions continue.

While Poland leads renewed efforts to eliminate DST, other European countries, like Ukraine, have faced complications when attempting similar changes. These ongoing debates within the EU highlight the ongoing debate about the benefits and drawbacks of daylight saving time.

  1. The European Union's policy-and-legislation regarding daylight saving time (DST) is under renewed scrutiny, with Poland, currently holding the rotating presidency, advocating for its abolition.
  2. Despite the European Commission's support for scrapping DST, the EU has yet to reach a decision, as some member states still resist the change.
  3. Supporters of ending DST argue that it negatively affects people's health, productivity, and economic stability, and that the costs caused by the time change outweigh any energy savings associated with it.
  4. The government and business sectors are closely watching this issue, as the elimination of DST could have significant implications for energy usage and economic stability across the EU.
  5. The debate over DST extends beyond Poland, with notable discussions in spaces such as politics, policy, and general news.
  6. As Poland seeks to unite EU member states behind a single, definitive policy on DST, space for compromise and negotiation will be crucial in reaching a consensus on this controversial issue.

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