Lithuania turns clocks back for winter time

Winter time took effect in Lithuania on Sunday, with clocks across the country turned back one hour overnight, LRT reported. The change means daylight begins earlier and evenings become shorter.

Winter time will remain in effect until the last Sunday in March, when clocks will move forward by one hour.

Lithuania, like other European Union countries, changes its clocks twice a year. The practice was introduced across the bloc in 1980 to make better use of daylight, but it has been debated for several years.

A 2018 European Commission survey found that 16% of the 4.6 million Europeans polled supported seasonal clock changes. In 2019, the European Parliament voted to end the practice. The change was due to take effect in April 2021, but member states did not reach an agreement, so clock changes have continued.

Transport Minister Juras Taminskas previously urged ministers from Baltic countries to work together to end seasonal clock changes in the EU.