Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin has apologized for a controversial photo taken at her residence, less than a week after the 36-year-old sparked criticism with a video of her party.
The image released by Finnish media shows two women kissing, lifting their tops to reveal their torsos and covering their breasts with a sign that says “Finland”.
Marin confirmed on Tuesday that the photo was taken at his official residence, Kesaranta, after attending a music festival that took place between July 8 and 10.
“I think the picture is not appropriate, I apologize. This picture should not have been taken,” Marin told reporters in Helsinki.
Marín said he had “friends” at his residence at the time “to spend the night” and “go to the sauna.”
The image was first posted on a TikTok account by a former Miss Finland contestant and social media influencer, who is pictured.
An editor at the country’s largest newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, said on Tuesday that Marín did not appear to be “in control”, and more images and videos of his private life could end up in the public domain.
Marín made headlines around the world last week when a video surfaced showing her dancing and partying with a group of friends and celebrities. Some interpreted the comments heard in the video as referring to narcotics, something that was hotly debated on social media and which Marín flatly denied.
Marín took a drug test on Friday to “clarify suspicions”. His urine sample was tested for the presence of various drugs. It came back negative.
“The drug test given to Prime Minister Sanna Marin on August 19, 2022 did not reveal the presence of drugs,” Marin’s office said Monday, adding that the results were signed off by a doctor.
Her dancing in the video has also been criticized by some as inappropriate behavior for a prime minister, while others have defended her right to enjoy a private event with friends.
So far, Marín has had the support of his party, with Antti Lindtman, head of the Social Democratic Party’s parliamentary group, telling the media that he “doesn’t see any major problem with dancing at a private event with friends.”
Marín, who came to power in 2019 at the age of 34, has previously been the subject of criticism by parties in his official residence.
In December 2021, she received sustained criticism after it was revealed that she stayed out dancing into the early hours despite being exposed to Covid-19.