Finnish PM Marin's drug test comes out clean

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has tested negative in a drug test she took to "clear up suspicions" her office said on Monday. 

She took the test on Friday after leaked footage of her partying with friends caused a stir in the country.

"Drug test taken from Prime Minister Sanna Marin on 19 August 2022 did not reveal the presence of drugs," Marin's office said in a statement, adding that a doctor signed the results.

Marin submitted herself for testing after videos circulated online last week showing her dancing and singing to pop music at a party with Finnish celebrities.

Politicians in her government coalition and the opposition had called on Marin to take a drug test.

Marine tested negative for various drugs

Marin's sample was tested for the presence of various drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis, and opioids, Iida Vallin, a special adviser to the prime minister, told the AFP news agency.

"The test was a comprehensive drug test. We did not choose how the test was done," Vallin said.

The prime minister insisted on Friday she had "never in my life" used drugs.

Public defends Marin's right to enjoy a private life

The leak has triggered a debate among Finns about what level of reveling is appropriate for a prime minister.

While Marin's opponents criticized her, posts on social media largely supported the prime minister, her image, and her right to have a personal life.

Users also reshared videos of other politicians dancing and partying, pointing out that the generally older and male politicians did not have to face criticism for their actions. 

Antti Lindtman, head of Marin's Social Democratic Party's parliamentary group, said she "can't see any major problem with dancing at a private event with friends."

Marin was the world's youngest national leader when she was elected in 2019, and last week she insisted that she spends her free time with friends just like other people her age and that she intends to continue being the same person as before.

"I hope that's accepted. We live in a democracy, and in elections, everyone can decide these issues," she said.

lo/rt (Reuters, AFP)