The Balearic Parliament has issued an institutional declaration urging the Spanish central government to allow them to stay in Daylight Saving Time and not turn the clocks backwards.
They claim that they are the first region in Spain where the sun rises and sets, with almost 50 minutes difference with the westernmost area in continental Spain, Galicia. Therefore, they say, keeping the current time will lower energy waste and improve daily timetables.
Other positives include more hours of light per day after work and school which, they state, will improve the health of locals as they will be able to do more sports and outdoor activities. The document also cites economic benefits such as a reduction in energy consumption.
However, Spain's Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism has stated that time change is regulated by the European Union via a common directive. Therefore, unless the central parliament supports this proposal, the Balearics won't be allowed to have that additional hour of sunshine in the evening.
