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Clocks go back for Swedish winter time

The Local Sweden
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Clocks go back for Swedish winter time
Photo: Charlie Rydell/AP

Sweden switched over to winter time in the early hours of Sunday morning meaning that you just enjoyed an extra hour of sleep.

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The time change occured at 3am when the clocks were reset to 2am.

Winter time, know as "normal time," has been around since 1870 which makes the days shorter in the run up to winter solstice on December 21st.

Advocates for winter time argue that it has benefits for the retail industry, cuts down on lighting costs and is brighter in the morning for when children are going to school.

Opponents, such as the Swedish centre party (Centerpartiet), have long been calling for winter time to be scrapped.

In a recent motion to the Swedish parliament (Sveriges Riksdag) they said "with summer time all year round, we can save many lives" arguing that winter time leads to an increase in depression.

Russia got rid of winter time in 2011 while Spain are considering embracing summer time all year round also.

Summer time or daylight saving time is not used by most of the world's population, but is common in the northern hemisphere.

Swedes who are worried about the long dark months ahead can be reassured that the days will get longer from December 22nd onwards. The clocks will go forward an hour to summer time on March 30th next year.

Meanwhile, if you haven't done so yet don't forget to change your clocks when you read this after logging in to The Local for your morning news.

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