Finnish PM Faces Backlash Over Partying Video
Finland's PM Sanna Marin has sparked controversy after a video was leaked of her partying with well-known Finnish personalities, including MPs, artists, and media anchors, in what appears to be a private home.
Facts
- Finland's PM Sanna Marin has sparked controversy after a video was leaked of her partying with well-known Finnish personalities, including MPs, artists, and media anchors, in what appears to be a private home.
- In the video, first reported on by Finnish newspaper Iltalehti on Wed., Marin can be seen dancing with friends while in the background people are seemingly heard shouting what appear to be references to cocaine, according to Finnish media.
- Finnish MP Mikko Kärnä, from Marin's coalition partner Centre Party, urged Marin to take a voluntary drug test and disclose the results to the public, saying that the public has a right to expect this.
- After initially refusing, Marin on Fri. said she had taken a drug test and expects the results next week. She restated her denials that she has ever taken drugs, saying that the prime minister is also entitled to a presumption of innocence.
- This isn't the first time the Finnish PM has faced backlash for partying. Last year, Marin was scolded after attending a nightclub despite having come in contact with COVID-positive foreign minister Pekka Haavisto. She missed a notification to isolate as she had left her prime ministerial phone behind. She later issued a public apology.
- In Dec. 2019, Marin became the world's youngest ever prime minister – at the age of 34. Last week, German news outlet Bild hailed Marin, 36, as "the coolest politician in the world."
Sources: Huffington Post, Politico, New York Post, BBC News, Independent, and Al Jazeera.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by American Spectator. This isn't the first time Marin has shown poor judgment. Her behavior, unprofessional at best, isn't fitting for the leader of a country. It goes without saying that the prime minister of Finland cannot be present at parties where narcotics prohibited by the criminal code are openly consumed.
- Narrative B, as provided by Huffington Post. There's no evidence of drugs being consumed, and even a PM has the right to a private persona. It's hard to believe that our greatest worry is that our political leaders are kicking back and hanging out with friends without breaking the law doing so.
