Spanish PM to public, stop wearing ties to save energy

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on workers in the public and private sectors to stop wearing ties, as an energy-saving measure in the heat. Sanchez said, his government will adopt urgent energy-saving measures on Monday as European countries strive to become less dependent on Russian gas in the wake of the war in Ukraine. A tieless Prime Minister Sanchez urged white-collar workers in Spain to ditch their neckties amid scorching weather and a need to conserve energy. Sanchez said he had asked all ministers in his government and public officials to stop wearing ties. He hoped the private sector would untie itself from similar expectations in the dress code. On Friday, temperatures reached 36 degree Celsius in Madrid and 39 degree Celsius in Seville. Over the past few weeks, Europe has experienced record-high temperatures.
At a news conference in Madrid, Prime Minister Sanchez said, not wearing ties will ensure people stay cooler and therefore lower energy costs because air conditioners will be used less often.Spain has encouraged remote work and implemented curbs on air conditioning in offices in summer and heat in the winter. Last month, Spain passed a relief package worth over €9 billion ($9.2 billion) that included lower electricity taxes and a one-time payment of €200 for low-income individuals. Spain is not the first to take this move. In 2011, Japan introduced its "Super Cool Biz" campaign, which encouraged office workers to wear cooler clothes in summer. And during sweltering temperatures in the UK recently, politicians were told they could ditch their suit jackets while in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Sanchez's government is working on an energy-saving decree. It includes a move to encourage businesses to keep their doors closed where possible, to prevent air conditioning from escaping. A similar rule was introduced in France earlier this week. Germany, likely to be among the countries hardest hit by Russian energy supply cutoffs, has seen an array of measures being introduced. In Berlin, the lights are going off on the spotlights illuminating historic sites in the city.