On Friday the government said it supports scrapping seasonal daylight saving for permanent standard time.

"Finns and other EU citizens have sent a remarkably clear message: the practice of changing the clocks should be discontinued," Transport and Communications Minister Anne Berner said in a statement.

The government said the adoption of ’winter time’ as the permanent standard time was supported by public health benefits.

”The drafting of Finland's position has involved an extensive consultation of citizens, businesses and other stakeholders. The consultation has brought forward opinions in favour of both winter and summer time,” Transport and Communications MinisterAnne Berner said in a statement.

But according to the government, standard time would be more favourable for the securities market and is also considered to have a positive effect on traffic safety and encourage more physical activity in the evenings.

Majority of Finns support standard time

At the end of last year, the EU Commission – on Finland’s initiative – proposed ending the practice of daylight saving time. However Finland cannot decide to abolish daylight savings time on its own, as any change on the matter requires a decision at the EU level.

All EU member states must agree on any changes to avoid fragmented time zones within the bloc. That said, the government on Friday said it seemed unlikely that daylight saving be scrapped before 2021 – a decision which would also need final approval by Finland’s Parliament.