Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin can be seen singing and dancing with pals at a private party in a video that was released. The 36-year-old leader strikes a beautiful pose. She is seated with her hands behind her head and legs. She is caught up in a bear embrace. She’s enjoying herself.
Young and older partygoers from Finland and throughout the world post countless films like this on social media every day. However, the leak has sparked a discussion among Finns about the acceptable amount of celebration for a prime minister, particularly in light of the war on Ukraine by close neighbor Russia, which spurred long-neutral Finland and Sweden to ask for NATO membership.
The Social Democratic Party’s leader, Marin, has been subjected to a storm of inquiries: Were Drugs present? Or Alcohol? Was she on summer vacation or at work? Was the prime minister competent to handle a crisis if it arose?
This week, Finnish media became aware of the film, which was obviously recorded at the party and shared on social media. Marin claimed to have been at the party recently, but she would not specify where or when.
She also admitted that she and her pals had a “boisterous” celebration and that wine had been consumed but to her knowledge no drugs. She claimed on Friday that she had a drug test to put a stop to rumors regarding illicit drugs.
In 2022, Marin told reporters, “I hope that it will be normal for even decision-makers to dance, sing, and attend parties.” It’s up to the voters to express their opinions; I didn’t want any photographs to go viral.
The prime minister, who is married and has a 4-year-old daughter, has frequently emphasized that despite leading Finland’s government, she is just like any other person her age that enjoys spending time with friends and family.
On Friday afternoon, there were conflicting views in Helsinki.
Joshua Fagerholm, a marketer, claimed that the incident could harm Finland’s brand and the public’s trust in Finnish politicians.
“I believe it’s critical that our legislators have the public’s respect and confidence. So, in my opinion, it’s not a nice look,” he remarked.
Helsinki student Mintuu Kylliainen was in disagreement. Everyone has a right to their own view, she added, but she thought the leaked video was receiving too much attention.
Partying is common, as Kylliainen put it. She ought to enjoy herself in life as well.
Some of the prime minister’s supporters claim the criticism is sexist.
At age 34, Marin was elected as Finland’s youngest prime minister in 2019. Even in the gender-neutral Nordic nation, Marin thought her age and gender were often given too much weight. “In every situation, I’ve ever been in, my gender has always been the beginning point — that I am a young woman,” she told Vogue magazine in 2020.
Anu Koivonen, a gender studies professor at the Finland’s University of Turku, said she didn’t believe gender played a significant role in the controversy surrounding the leaked film. She claimed that while the partying itself wasn’t a major deal, the fact that the video surfaced raised questions about the prime minister’s judgment on the company she kept.
That she lacked self-control in a setting where she couldn’t rely on everyone in the room, Koivonen added. That, in my opinion, is the primary problem right now.
Given that Finland’s senior officials are of interest to foreign security services, Jarno Limnell, a cybersecurity specialist and local representative for Finland’s conservative National Coalition Party, said the incident was troubling from a security perspective.
According to Limnell, who spoke to the Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat, “Information is acquired from a number of sources, and even seemingly little pieces of information might be vital to a foreign power.” The NATO ratification process is being closely watched by top decision-makers.
Marin’s excessive partying has previously made the news. She issued a public apology in December after staying out late at a club after receiving a text warning her to stay away from social gatherings because she may have come into touch with someone who was COVID-19 infected. Because she had left her phone at home, according to Marin, she was unable to view the message. Later tests revealed that she was virus-free.
Even in a society as progressive as Finland’s, Marin deviates from the stereotype of the usual politician. She was raised by a single mother who was seeing another lady. Her contemporary approach to work, particularly the casual dress she has worn to formal events, has earned her the admiration of many Finns. When Marin arrived at a news appearance with her Swedish counterpart wearing a black leather jacket in April, it caused a stir on social media.
For resolutely managing Finland through the COVID-19 pandemic and the NATO application procedure, Marin and her female-dominated Cabinet have also received appreciation in Finland and elsewhere.
Jori Korkman, a pensioner in Helsinki, remarked, “Our prime minister is fantastic. She accepted her very challenging position during a very challenging time, and she did an excellent job. We have no business knowing what she does in her spare time.
