Finland PM Denies Drug Use, Takes Test After Video of Party Went Viral

Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin announced Friday that she has taken a drug test in response to allegations that she was under the influence of narcotics in a leaked party video that has been viewed by millions and called the 36-year-old's leadership into question.

The video was leaked to the media and seemingly showed Marin in a house party-type atmosphere where narcotics like cocaine may have been in the vicinity. The former transportation minister and Social Democratic Party member was promoted to her current role at age 34 when former Prime Minister Antti Rinne quit due to growing opposition in relation to his handling of a postal strike.

"I did nothing illegal," Marin said at a news conference Friday in Helsinki, according to the BBC. "Even in my teenage years, I have not used any kind of drugs."

Results of the drug test are expected to be announced next week.

When asked by members of the media if she could have performed her duties as prime minister in her state of intoxication if necessary, Marin said she couldn't recall "a single time" since she took over as prime minister in 2019 that she was required to make snap decisions "in the middle of the night."

"I think my ability to function was really good," she added. "There were no known meetings on the days I was partying....I trust that people understand that leisure time and work time can be separated."

Marin is the youngest prime minister in Finland's history. She is also the third woman in her country's history to hold the job.

In addition to acknowledging that she has taken a drug test, Marin also defended her actions in the video.

"These videos are private and filmed in a private space," Marin said Friday, according to a video translation by Reuters. "I resent that these became known to the public. I spent the night with my friends; we just partied, also in a boisterous way."

When asked if she used any intoxicants, Marin said "alcohol." When a reporter followed up by asking if she used any drugs, Marin replied, "Not that I know of."

The videos were filmed this summer "in a private home," Marin said, adding that she would not divulge any information as to whose home it was.

She also asserted that the leaking of the video was not blackmail.

The current controversy is not her first time having to answer party-related questions.

As reported by the BBC, in December 2021 Marin went for a night out in Helsinki hours after her foreign minister tested positive for COVID-19, missing a text that advised her to isolate even though she thought she was in the clear due to her full vaccination status.

She later expressed a lack of judgment and said she should have been more vigilant.

Newsweek reached out to Marin for comment.