Finnish Prime Minister Undergoes Drug Test Amid Wild Party Controversy... Second Leaked Video Sparks Debate

On the 17th (local time), Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland, appeared in a party video released by the Finnish local media Iltalehti (IL). In the video, Prime Minister Marin was seen dancing vigorously with about 20 famous figures from Finland.
[Image source= Iltalehti (IL)]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who became embroiled in controversy after a video of a wild party was released, ultimately took a drug test herself to dispel suspicions of drug use.

According to Finland's public broadcaster YLE and others, Prime Minister Marin said at a press conference on the 19th (local time), "I took a drug test today, and the results will come out within a week," emphasizing, "I have never used drugs in my life. I have not done anything illegal, and I only took the test to alleviate concerns."

Earlier, starting from the 17th, videos circulated on social media (SNS) and Finnish media showing Prime Minister Marin dancing passionately and singing along with famous figures such as Finnish singers and broadcasters. In particular, when it was revealed that the slang term for drugs, "Milgaru Gang (flour Gang)," appeared in the video, the controversy escalated with demands from the Finnish political sphere for Marin to undergo a drug test.

Alongside the drug allegations, Marin’s appearance enjoying a wild party in the video sparked significant controversy regarding dignity and responsibility as a head of state. This was especially sensitive given Finland’s heightened military tensions with Russia and the serious period of pursuing membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The second video of Prime Minister Marin that spread on social media that day also became another issue. The video showed Marin dancing closely with a Finnish pop star at a club in Helsinki, and speculation arose that the pop star, who lowered their head, appeared to be kissing Marin’s neck. Marin denied the suspicion at the press conference, saying it was just two friends dancing and that the pop star was whispering in her ear.

The controversy grew further as it was reported that Marin had partied with friends at her home that day and then went to a nightclub in Helsinki, dancing until after 4 a.m. The video is estimated to have been filmed on Saturday, the 6th of this month, a day when no acting prime minister was designated, as Marin had returned from a four-week summer vacation on the 4th.

Regarding this, Marin responded that she maintained her ability to perform her duties even during the party and would have left the party if she had to work. Marin also has a history of issuing a public apology last December after closely contacting the foreign minister who had contracted COVID-19 and forgetting her work phone at home, resulting in her dancing with friends at a club until dawn and not receiving quarantine recommendation messages.