MEP Manuela Ripa (ÖDP) calls for an end to the time change

Ripa: "EU member states disregard the will of the people"

(Brussels/24.03.2022) Shortly before the clocks change to summer time this weekend, Manuela Ripa, MEP of the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP), is calling for an end to the biennial turning of the clock. The MEP cites the fact that many people feel their health is affected by the time change and complain about sleep disorders, for example. Farm animals also have problems with the changeover from winter to summer time. The main argument for introducing the time change was a supposed energy saving. However, this hope has not materialized, as the figures from energy suppliers show.

Manuela Ripa comments: "In March 2019, a majority of the European Parliament voted in favor of no longer changing the clocks from 2021. This vote followed statements by the then President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who had already announced in the summer of 2018 that the changeover between summer and winter time in the EU would be overturned. However, the fact that this project has since been delayed by the Member States and was not pushed forward under the German Council Presidency in 2020 by Andreas Scheuer, the Federal Minister of Transport responsible at the time, is unacceptable and a disregard for the will of the people."

Manuela Ripa reminds us that the European Commission conducted an online survey on this topic in 2018, in which 84% of respondents were in favor of abolishing the time change. 4.6 million people from the then 28 Member States took part in the survey, including almost three million from Germany.

The ÖDP politician believes the time for action has now come. "The EU member states should finally agree on whether to introduce summer or winter time all year round. A patchwork of different time zones within the EU should be avoided," concluded the MEP.