All but one of Finland's nine main political parties support the recognition of a Palestinian state, according to the results of a poll conducted by the Uutissuomalainen news group, although there are wide ranging differences regarding the timetable.

The poll revealed that the opposition Green and Left Alliance parties support recognising a Palestinian state in the near future, while the Social Democrats and Movement Now said such a move would be possible once peace negotiations in the Middle East had begun.

Opposition MPs Atte Harjanne (Green) and Jussi Saramo (Left) had the most positive attitude about the matter, saying that Finland should take action immediately.

Members of another opposition party, the Centre, said they would be in favour of Finland recognising a Palestinian state "in the long term".

Among the four government parties, the National Coalition Party and the Swedish People's Party were supportive of the idea "at some point" in the future while the Finns Party said recognition could only come, "if ever", as part of the peace process.

The Christian Democrats were the only parliamentary party to oppose recognising a Palestinian state, according to the results of the Uutissuomalainen poll.

Based on the poll results, Peter Östman of the Christian Democrats had the most negative attitude towards the recognition question, saying that Finland making such a move would only escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has previously stated that Finland will recognise Palestine as a state at some point in the future.