84% of European citizens support the idea, while 352,000 Italians have signed a petition to make it a reality: legal summer time all year round. In Italy, the issue is taking on a new dimension, as it will be officially presented to Parliament on Monday.
The time change has returned as one of the most controversial topics at the national and European level. More and more citizens, experts and institutions are speaking out against the spring-autumn change, calling for its permanent abolition.
In Spain, just a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez brought the issue back to the European table, calling the clock change “completely meaningless” and asking Brussels to reopen the discussion that has been stalled for years. Although Spain’s action does not currently involve a vote or formal debate, it is considered sufficient to bring the issue back to the forefront of the European Union’s attention, writes Corriere della Sera.
Meanwhile, in Italy, the idea of maintaining daylight saving time for 12 months is gaining traction, backed by arguments related to energy savings, pollution reduction, improvements in public health and increased safety. On Monday, MPs will present the request for a fact-finding inquiry to the Productive Activities Committee, an initiative promoted by the medical association SIMA, a non-profit organization, and by LEGA MP Andrea Barabotti.
During the hearing, the 352,000 signatures of citizens collected through an online petition, which calls for summer time to remain in force all year round, will be officially submitted. The inquiry, if approved, will analyze in detail the possible impacts of this measure: energy consumption, environmental consequences, effects on public health, safety, as well as changes in social habits.
