The change from summer time to winter time and vice versa has been a topic of debate for decades. However, it’s official: summer time is over! Here’s a detailed explanation.
The European Union: France’s Second Voice
In France, many changes are anticipated in the coming years. And when we say many changes, we truly mean it.
As many of you probably know, in France, we live according to European standards and decisions. France joined the European Union (EU) in 1957, as a founding member, alongside Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
According to Toute l’Europe, The European Union (EU) currently consists of 27 member states. It constitutes an organization without any equivalent in the world.
These members decided to share part of their sovereignty, first to rebuild their economies after World War II and promote peace among themselves, and gradually to address other challenges, the site explains.
The EU acts on all fronts, from food production to the movement of people, money, the environment, and digital issues, complementing national policies, which it sometimes guides, the site also notes.
An Alliance Between 27 Countries
In general, the EU is an alliance of several countries. France is part of international alliances such as NATO, particularly on the military side, and the European Union, which primarily serves to create an economic alliance among multiple countries.
This alliance promises better economic growth and, of course, mutual assistance. That’s why many countries seek to join every year, notably Ukraine, which submitted its application on February 28, 2022, just four days after the start of the Russian invasion (February 24).
The EU currently has nearly 450 million inhabitants (7% of the world’s population), spans over 4.2 million km² (3% of the land area), and accounts for 20% of the world’s GDP. Germany is the wealthiest and most populated country, while France is the largest.
European Laws to Integrate
While some countries have sought to exit, such as the United Kingdom (Brexit), France remains very attached to its European values, even though many citizens are calling for a Frexit.
It’s important to note that being part of the EU entails not only paying a significant contribution (21.6 billion euros), but also adhering to certain common rules.
European lawmakers frequently review new laws and proposals. In recent years, the EU has invested heavily in various environmental issues, imposing certain new rules on member countries.
For instance, by 2035, the EU aims to ban the sale of new thermal vehicles in its member countries. France (with Emmanuel Macron, who is very EU-oriented) has already begun taking steps towards this.
This includes ecological penalties, the Crit’Air sticker for polluting vehicles, and the prohibition of certain diesel cars in high-risk areas, in addition to various incentives encouraging citizens to purchase electric vehicles.
Time Change: What Are the Dates for 2025?
However, France retains the freedom to make certain choices. In fact, a country’s policies remain somewhat independent, despite its membership in the EU. For instance, if France wishes to eliminate traditional shopping carts in its stores, Germany is not obligated to follow suit—unless the EU decides otherwise.
Countries are free on certain issues while also being subject to others. For example, the time change. As you know, every year, we spring forward and fall back, altering the time in March and October.
Typically, we switch to winter time in October as the days shorten and to summer time in March or April as the days lengthen.
As we explained in this article regarding the time change, when you switch to summer time, on March 30, the clock will move forward at 2 AM to 3 AM.
And, for the transition to winter time, on October 26, you will need to turn the clock back from 3 AM to 2 AM.
Indeed, for the year 2025, France will adjust its clocks to summer time on March 30, 2025. When the clock strikes 2 AM, it will need to be set forward to 3 AM.
On October 26, 2025, the opposite will occur. You will turn the clock back from 3 AM to 2 AM. And this will continue year after year.
Remove Time Change: The EU Will Decide!
The time change was implemented by decree on September 19, 1975. Originally, the switch to winter time was for the purpose of saving electricity (and money) on nighttime lighting.
During that time, saving money was crucial as it was following the oil shock of 1973-1974. Outdoor lighting relied on fuel, so conserving that resource was necessary.
However, in modern times, it seems increasingly irrelevant. Our lighting is electric and we no longer face that particular issue. The debate over ending the time change has persisted for years. Should it be stopped?
In 2018, 84% of people supported ending the time change. Moreover, according to a citizen consultation, only 25.25% of people reported being satisfied with the time change.
But it’s not up to France to decide. In fact, on this specific point, it is the European Union that must make the ruling.
A Project on Hold, Soon to Be Revisited?
In 2019, a proposal was made to eliminate the change by 2021. However, due to the Covid-19 crisis, the proposal was put on hold.
Eventually, it could be reconsidered this 2025, 2026, or in the coming years. If this proposal is accepted by the EU, member countries could then eliminate summer or winter time.
France Prefers Summer Time
Each country will be able to choose whether to remain on summer or winter time. In France, it seems that citizens prefer summer time, according to various polls.
According to the previous citizen consultation, 59.17% of respondents prefer to stay on summer time, while 36.97% prefer to stay on winter time.
Ukraine Abandons Summer Time
A preference that does not seem to reflect that of Ukraine. Although Ukraine submitted its application to join the EU in 2022, it has not been accepted yet. Thus, Ukraine is free to choose whether or not to eliminate the time change.
Numerous countries have already abandoned this rule, including Iceland, Greenland, Egypt, and Turkey. It’s now Ukraine’s turn.
However, Ukraine does not seem to prefer summer time like the French do. The Ukrainian government has chosen to keep winter time, thereby saying goodbye to summer time.
The country has indeed decided to eliminate the time change. Since winter time was established in October, the country will maintain that.
A Public Health Decision?
Deputy Verjovna Rada commented on this issue, stating that “citizens feel worse after the time change; their work capacity decreases, and there is a worsening of chronic diseases.”
In this context, along with the war in Ukraine, the country also wanted to “unify its time zone with that of Moscow,” as can also be read here.
Many Changes to Expect in France?
And what about France? For now, we must wait for the decision from the European Union. If the EU decides to eliminate the time change, we will then be able to choose which time we keep. Once again, we should anticipate possible changes in the coming years.
Note that this is not the only change being considered in France. While the health card is becoming dematerialized, the country could see further developments that affect the lifestyles of its citizens.
For instance, it is possible that SMS will eventually disappear in the coming years. The same may be true for speed bumps on French roads, as some may be illegal and could be completely removed.
Lastly, some media have also discussed the potential elimination of expiration dates on certain food products. This could apply to dry products such as pasta, rice, or cereals. However, nothing is confirmed yet.
