MOSCOW, February 7 (Itar-Tass) – The Russian government finds it inexpedient to return to the previous annual time system, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a government meeting on Thursday.
“The government finds any changes in the time system inexpedient now,” he underlined.
“Let’s live in these conditions without any fuss and we will continue to monitor the general situation, will analyse again the conclusions of the experts and the position of ordinary people. If it changes, let’s consider all pros and contras,” he said in conclusion.
The prime minister recalled that the annual time system has changed seven times for the last 100 years. The latest monitoring of the situation does not bring any clear-cut conclusions. “Upon the results of the monitoring, which the government has conducted recently several times, one can come to the following conclusions: now the number of the supporters of the summer time and those who want to return to the previous annual time system of two time shifts in the course of the year or fix the winter time on the permanent basis is approximately equal. Even probably those, who do not want any changes, are more numerous, therefore, there are no unequivocal approaches,” Medvedev explained his position.
Medvedev cancelled the time shifts in 2011 in the capacity of the president, referring to numerous requests of people, who had a stress over the transitions to summer and winter times. The summer time was introduced round the year in Russia. However, the new procedure evoked critical remarks and repeated demands “to bring back everything as it was before.”
The public and the media have addressed with the foresaid requests to Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin on every suitable occasion. However, acknowledging that the decision is not easy, the president stated each time that this question is within the authority of the government now. Moreover, Medvedev heads the Russian Cabinet now and cancelled the transition to the summer time two years ago.
Meanwhile, the addresses to the Russian authorities from the international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, became more frequent recently. Their concerns are caused by the fact that during the Sochi Olympics the difference in time with Europe, where the main television audience is located, makes three hours that will affect negatively the television ratings. The sport fans, which got accustomed to the broadcasts from the European sport arenas, have to make a choice between the matches of their favourite teams or sleeping over the difference in time of three hours.