The Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin underwent a voluntary drug test, which came back negative for any banned substances. The administration stated the testing was self-funded. As part of a broader study, labs can detect the presence of amphetamines and their derivatives, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, dextropropoxyphene, phencyclidine, cocaine, methadone, and opiates in a person’s system.
Marin chose to take the test on August 19 after videos surfaced on social media showing her at a party. The event was attended by notable figures, including deputy Ilmari Nurminen, television hosts Tinni Vikström and Karolina Tuominen, photographer Janita Autio, stylist Vesa Silver, singer Alma, and other well-known personalities.
The clips depict Marin and her companions enjoying themselves, dancing, and singing. While no drugs appear in the footage, some observers criticised the prime minister’s conduct given her high office. Media coverage also mentioned a moment in one recording where a party guest was heard saying the word that some interpreted as a reference to cocaine.
Marin has asserted that she has never used illegal drugs and that her alcohol intake that evening was limited. She stated that neither she nor her friends used drugs, at least to her knowledge.
“I did not use any drugs or anything beyond alcohol. I danced, sang, and hosted a legal gathering. I did not see or know anyone else who allegedly used substances,” Marin said. She emphasized that ordinary citizens hold key government roles and that in 2022, entertainment and dancing should not be deemed inappropriate behavior. “I have a family, a job, and like many people my age, I have leisure time to spend with friends,” she added.
Marin also expressed hope that the situation would be viewed as normal and accepted as such. If perceptions do not shift, she suggested the issue could influence future elections.
“I did not limit myself where trust was lacking”
Riikka Purra, leader of the True Finns, the largest opposition party, and Mikko Kärnä, a member of the ruling coalition’s Center Party, urged Marin to take a drug test after the records emerged.
On social media, many Finnish women showed support for the prime minister by organizing a Flash mob with the hashtag #SolidarityWithSanna. They posted videos of themselves dancing and singing in similar celebrations, arguing that dancing is a normal part of life. One participant noted that more dancing would be a positive sign for women in Finland.
Anu Koivunen, a gender studies professor at the University of Turku, commented that the allegations were not about gender. She suggested the issue originated from leaked video footage and emphasized that the real problem lies in trusting people and managing information within crowds.
Koivunen argued that Marin’s challenge was not her private life but the difficulty of ensuring reliable trust among individuals in all social settings.
Coronavirus, a phone, and a nightclub
In December 2021, a controversy arose when Marin spent an evening at a nightclub during the pandemic and later had to self-isolate. After exposure to a person infected with COVID-19, she received a warning but did not respond immediately, as she carried only a personal phone rather than a government device. Critics argued that national-security records should always be accessible to a leader. A subsequent review determined that Marin did not violate the rules, and a new protocol was introduced requiring officials to acknowledge receipt of official messages.
Marin became Finland’s prime minister in 2019, at age 34, making her one of the youngest heads of government globally. The coalition at that time included women in senior roles from all five parties, with four under forty. Marin has stated that age or gender were never part of her political motivation, instead focusing on why voters entrusted her with leadership and the policies pursued.
In 2021, Marin was featured in Time magazine’s Time100 Next, recognizing influential leaders from various sectors around the world.