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Finnish politician Sanna Marin
Photo: Andrew Medichini/AP
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has defended herself against allegations of drug use after the publication of a party video with her.
"I haven't taken any drugs, so I have no problem taking a drug test," the 36-year-old politician told journalists in Helsinki on Thursday.
Videos had previously been shared online networks showing Marin partying with a group of people.
The videos are private, they were recorded in private places, Marin explained.
"I spent an evening with friends," she added.
The head of government added that alcohol had been drunk at the party she attended - but denied having taken drugs or witnessed drug use by others.
With her friends, who include a Finnish influencer, an artist and two moderators, she moved on to two bars after the private party.
She spends her free time just like other people her age.
"I hope that will be accepted," Marin told broadcaster Yle.
"We live in a democracy."
Center Party MP Mikko Karna, one of Marin's coalition partners, tweeted Thursday that it would be "wise" for Marin to voluntarily take a drug test.
Antti Lindtman, leader of Marin's Social Democratic Party (SDP), said at a conference of his party on Thursday that the prime minister had his group's support.
"I don't see much of a problem with her dancing with friends at a private event," he said.
As for a possible drug test, it's up to Marin to "assess that," Lindtman added.
Already 2021 questions about party excursion
Marin is the youngest prime minister in Finnish history.
When she took office in 2019, she was the youngest head of government in the world at the age of 34.
She had come under fire for parties held at her official residence before the video surfaced.
In December 2021 it became known that Marin had danced through the night even though she was in contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.
According to a poll commissioned by the Finnish television channel MTV3 at the time, two-thirds of those questioned believed that Marin's party outing was "a serious mistake".
jok/AFP
