PM wants Spaniards to shed ties to keep cool and reduce demand for air conditioning amid European heatwave

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday urged his ministers, civil servants and private sector employees to stop wearing ties and stay cool as heatwaves sweep parts of Europe and stoke demand for energy-guzzling air conditioning.

“I want to warn you all that I don’t wear a tie,” Sanchez said at a news conference. “In this way we can all save energy.”

High summer temperatures are straining Europe’s energy systems and raising concerns about the prospects for a regional initiative to save more gas if the war in Ukraine leads to a further cut in supplies from Russia.

Sanchez struck a more serious note, saying his administration will introduce emergency measures next week to improve efficiency and energy conservation.

For now, he said: “I have asked ministers and all civil servants, and I would also like to ask the private sector, if it hasn’t already done so, not to wear a tie if it is not required because this is how we will be doing in our country.” important energy savings.”