Lithuania calls for end to seasonal clock changes

Lithuania has urged several nearby European countries to end seasonal clock changes, calling for a coordinated move to abolish daylight saving time, public broadcaster LRT reported Monday.

“I am taking the lead on stopping seasonal time changes and am rallying the Baltic region countries to achieve this common goal,” said Transport Minister Juras Taminskas.

He said Lithuania would push the initiative forward during its EU Council presidency next year, adding that the country aims to turn the proposal into concrete action at the EU level.

The initiative covers Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland, and Sweden, which Lithuania is seeking to align behind the plan.

The European Commission has launched an impact assessment on seasonal time changes, with results expected later this year.

The review is examining the effects of the biannual clock change system across EU member states, which has been in place for decades and is still subject to coordination at the EU level.

Türkiye in 2016 eliminated seasonal time changes, a move advocated by many public health experts.