Finnish prime minister's partying video stirs controversy

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin (aged 37), one of the world's youngest and up-and-coming politicians, is faced with accusations for using drugs after her boisterous partying video was leaked. Although she firmly denied such accusations on August 18 (local time), the day after the video leakage, some say her political career may be affected if other partygoers are confirmed to have used drugs during the party. Finland, as with many other nations, strictly prohibits drug use.

A video was leaked on Wednesday on local social network where Prime Minister Marin in her black sleeveless blouse was seen overexcitedly dancing and singing in a private house with some 20 people including singers, TV celebrities and members of the ruling party. Some Finnish media alleged that a voice in the background could be heard shouting “the flour gang”, supposedly a reference to cocaine.

The next day after the video was disclosed, Prime Minister Marin admitted that she was at that party a couple of weeks ago and drank but never did drugs and that she spent her free time just like her peers would do. She added that dancing and singing are perfectly legal and would take the drug test if necessary. Her political opponents are pressuring her to get an immediate drug screening test.

As the world's youngest leader at the time of her taking office in December 2019 when she was only 34, she was in the limelight by actively using social media and setting up a government mainly led by women. In December 2021, she was criticized for clubbing until 4 a.m. while leaving her work phone at home after closely contacting Finnish Foreign Minister who got tested positive for COVID-19. In 2020, she uploaded a photo of her from a fashion magazine without wearing a bra, which also sparked fierce controversy back then.


Eun-A Cho achim@donga.com