Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin may have recently sparked a significant wave of political scandal after appearing in a "bold" video where she danced and celebrated in an intimate setting during a private party in 2022. This controversy extended into 2023 and ultimately led to her stepping down from her position.
In the video, the former prime minister was seen dancing and drinking with a group of friends, which caused a public divide and ignited a debate about her public image. At the time the video surfaced, Marin, who was 36 years old, faced widespread criticism for engaging in behavior deemed inappropriate for her role as Prime Minister. Conversely, others defended her right to celebrate a private event with friends.
A video that leaked online showed six people dancing in front of the camera, including the Finnish Prime Minister. Marin was depicted in the video with her arms behind her head, dancing provocatively. There was also another video where she danced with singer Osuvirta (39 years old), with moments of them touching. Critics noted that it seemed the musician leaned in to whisper something in her ear or kiss her.
In response to the controversy, Marin defended her actions, asserting that her behavior was normal for someone her age. After the video gained widespread attention, she stated: "I danced, sang, and celebrated, which are all completely legal activities," adding that she had not used any drugs even during her teenage years.
However, the young leader continued to face intense backlash over her behavior up until 2023, culminating in her defeat in the parliamentary elections in April. The loss became more embarrassing for Finland's youngest minister when it became clear that her party would drop to third place in the elections, prompting her to announce days later her resignation as leader of the Social Democratic Party later in 2023, according to a report from Fox News.
Marin followed through with this promise, leaving parliament last month and announcing she would become an advisor to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. It is noteworthy that Marin was a significant focus, especially after becoming the youngest minister in Finland and the world in 2018, at the age of 34.
During her three years in office, Marin earned a reputation as an efficient and serious Prime Minister, successfully leading Finland through the COVID-19 pandemic and into NATO membership; however, her "recklessness" ultimately led to her decline and resignation.
