Lithuania to push for permanent time as key priority during EU presidency

Lithuania will make the abolition of seasonal clock changes a top priority during its upcoming EU presidency, Transport Minister Juras Taminskas announced on Tuesday.

Speaking in Luxembourg, Taminskas said he had discussed the issue with his counterparts from Sweden and France, confirming that Lithuania would “take a seat at the table” on the matter during its presidency in the first half of next year.

“I am actively working on this issue—today I discussed opportunities to stop turning the clock hands with colleagues from Sweden and France,” the minister said in a statement. “I informed them that we will sit down together next year, as this is one of Lithuania’s priorities during its EU presidency.”

Taminskas had previously called for joint action in a spring letter to transport ministers in Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland, and Sweden. He is now engaging with Southern European states to build broader support.

The twice-yearly time change is mandated by an EU directive, with most member states and many countries worldwide observing seasonal adjustments. While the European Commission and Parliament support ending the practice, most EU governments have yet to back a final decision.

The Commission has launched a new impact assessment on abolishing clock changes, involving national institutions and stakeholders at both EU and member state levels.