On Monday, 3 December, European Transport Ministers endorsed progress in discussions in the Council on the end of the time change. They expressed their willingness to conduct an impact assessment and coordination action at European level before reaching political agreement.
This debate echoes the European Commission's initial proposal of 12 September (see EUROPE 12094). The Commission had proposed that the last changeover to summer time be made in March 2019, before a possible last changeover to winter time in October 2019.
The ministers discussed this issue at their informal meeting in Graz on 29 October last (see EUROPE 12127). They were then open to this proposal, but most were sceptical about stopping the time change next year, considering the date of 2021.
The Austrian Presidency's progress report, which was approved at the ministerial meeting, also mentions 2021 (see EUROPE 12141). Above all, the majority of ministers expressed their willingness to carry out a real impact assessment on the ins and outs of such a proposal, and a coordination action by the Member States.
The German Secretary of State for Transport, Guido Beermann, recalled that "the principle of fragmentation of time zones should be avoided".
States, such as Lithuania or Finland, recalled their willingness to stop the time change, when Portugal expressed more reservations. "The current system works", said Portuguese Transport Minister Pedro Marques. He nevertheless said he was open to discussions, and said he wanted the final text to respect the principle of subsidiarity.
On the European Parliament's side, Marita Ulvskog (S&D, Sweden) has yet to present a draft report on the subject. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)