Majority of Hungarians oppose to biannual time changes

Three quarters of the Hungarian population would prefer not to change the clock twice a year, but to have one single time in Hungary and Europe, and two-thirds of them would like to keep European summer time when days are longer, according to a survey published here on Monday.

"Mostly people living in urban surroundings are opposed to time changes, while only 3 Hungarians out of 10 would maintain the current system," according to the survey of Publicus Institute, taken on Nov. 14, with 1,000 people.

European Summer Time is the variation of standard clock time that is applied in most European countries in the period between spring and autumn, during which clocks are advanced by one hour from the time observed in the rest of the year, in order to make the most efficient use of seasonal daylight. It corresponds to the notion and practice of daylight saving time to be found in many other parts of the world.

European Summer Time begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October each year, making the winter days very short in many European countries, in Hungary for instance, the sun goes down earlier than 16H00 in December.

The Hungarian survey's result falls in line with the rest of the European Union (EU).

In September, the EU Commission proposed to end the practice of adjusting clocks by an hour in spring and autumn after a survey found most Europeans opposed it.

In the public consultation of the EU, 84 percent of 4.6 million respondents called for ending the spring and autumn clock change.

"Millions believe that in future, summer time should be year-round, and that's what will happen," said Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker after the consultation.

The Commission's proposal requires support from the 28 national governments and MEPs to become law.

The Commission also warned that uncoordinated time changes between member states would cause economic harm.