Finalnd: Sanna Marin's drug test resulted in a negative result, bolstering the case that Finland's 36-year-old prime minister will survive her latest partying scandal. According to a government statement issued in Helsinki on Monday, the screening on Friday revealed no evidence of drug use. Marin's office said in an emailed response to questions that the urine test was screened for cocaine, opiates, and amphetamine, among other substances.
Marin took the test to dispel drug-related speculation sparked by leaked video footage of her dancing and partying with friends at a private residence earlier in August. Local media in Finland has come under fire for claiming, without evidence, that drugs were used at the party where the videos were shot. Marin has faced no serious calls to resign as a result of the scandal, and the ruling Social Democrats have backed their prime minister.
Nonetheless, Marin's position has been weakened by previous scandals stemming from her penchant for clubbing.
In December, the prime minister was chastised in the media for going out knowing she had been exposed to the coronavirus, despite breaking no official isolation rules.
She was also chastised for leaving her government-issued phone at home that night, raising concerns about how easily she could be reached in a crisis. In another case, she invited a group of revellers to an impromptu after-party at the premier's official residence, raising security concerns.
Politicians in Finland may find themselves in the midst of a media frenzy for actions that would cause little concern elsewhere. Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb was once chastised for wearing shorts to a press conference, and Finnish European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen was chastised for posing in fishnet tights early in her career.
Riikka Purra, the leader of the opposition Finns Party, has called for Marin to submit to a voluntary drug test. Mikko Karna of the agrarian Center Party, a coalition partner of Marin's Social Democrats, echoed his call. Notably, Marin, who was elected in 2019 at the age of 34, has previously faced criticism for hosting parties at her official residence.
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