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Sanna Marin: Finland's head of government does a drug test after the party video

2022-08-19T15:07:04.679Z


A leaked party video gets Sanna Marin in trouble. The recordings also fueled speculation about alleged cocaine use by the Finnish head of government. She now wants to refute that with a drug test.


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Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland

Photo: Matias Honkamaa / AFP

After criticism in connection with a private party, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said she carried out a drug test.

The result is expected in about a week.

"I've never taken drugs in my life," Marin told journalists on Friday.

"I really wish people wouldn't say these things without evidence."

A video was released on Thursday showing the 36-year-old head of government celebrating, dancing and singing with friends.

Some Finnish journalists claim to have heard statements about drugs in the video.

Finnish local politician Jiri Keronen from the right-wing populist party True Finns even shared a screenshot of the video on which he wants to recognize cocaine lines.

Marin said she drank alcohol that night but was unaware that drugs were being used.

"I haven't done anything illegal," she said.

In the past few days, there have been calls for a drug test, especially from the opposition.

Marin has now complied with this by submitting a sample.

Opposition questions Marin's fitness for office

The video has sparked a debate in Finland about the Prime Minister's public appearance.

It is also about the question of whether the Prime Minister was represented during the party and if not, whether this would have been necessary.

Behind this is the assumption that the private party only took place after Marin's summer vacation.

In that case, she should have been available 24/7.

The head of government did not comment on when the celebration took place.

Now their suitability for office is being debated.

Some of the opposition accuse her of acting irresponsibly.

The Finnish media is also discussing to what extent the leaked video could pose a security threat.

There are concerns that the footage could damage Finland's credibility and perhaps even be used for Russian propaganda.

In Moscow, there is not only resentment about the NATO membership application of the Finns.

This week, Helsinki also decided to significantly tighten entry regulations for tourists from the neighboring country.

The number of tourist visas for Russian citizens is to be massively reduced.

til/asc/dpa

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2022-08-19

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