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Putin promises return to “winter time” if the option is supported by majority

Presidential candidate Vladimir Putin promised a return to “winter time” if the majority of Russians support the option

MOSCOW, February 7 (Itar-Tass) —— Presidential candidate Vladimir Putin promised a return to “winter time” if the majority of Russian citizens support the option.

“Let us review the question. If the overwhelming majority of citizens think that was good, we will do it,” he said at a meeting with his campaign representatives on Tuesday.

He proposed public debates and recalled that President Dmitry Medvedev, who cancelled Russia’s switch to “winter time”, was guided with the opinion of those who said the shift was harmful for biorhythms of humans and livestock.

The “winter time” cancellation “is not a fetish,” Putin said. “Let us not hurry. We will review the question and ask specialists and the broad public for advice,” he said.

Putin said he discussed the issue with Medvedev.

Russia performed its last switch to daylight saving time on March 27, 2011, and clock hands across the country was set one hour forward. Daylight saving time aims at a better use of daylight and energy saving.

The first daylight saving time decree in Russia was issued by the Provisional Government on July 1, 1917. The Council of People’s Commissars of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic ordered to fall back on December 22, 1917. Clock hands were moved one hour forward on June 16, 1930, and there was no fall back in autumn. The country started living by the so called decree time – one hour ahead of the entire planet.

Daylight saving time in Russia resumed in 1981. Since the degree time was not abolished, Russia is two hours ahead of its time zone.

Medvedev said on February 8, 2011, that the annual switch to “winter time” would end in fall.

Putin said in his Q&A session on December 15, 2011, that he was asked a lot of questions about the “winter time”. “There must be some problems. I will refer the question to other departments,” Putin said.