Finnish PM sparks controversy over leaked party footage  

Helsinki: Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin is facing political backlash after her leaked videos of dancing exuberantly in a party sparked controversy in country. 

The videos showed Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin dancing and singing with critics of the 36-year-old premier accusing her of inappropriate behaviour and supporters praising her style and defending her right to party.

The video shows Ms Marin drinking with a group of friends—fellow politicians and celebrities— in what appears to be a gathering held at a private home. 

The footage, published on social media on Wednesday, shows Marin and five other people dancing and singing in what appears to be a gathering held at a private home. 

As per Finnish media reports, one of the partygoers can seemingly be heard in the background shouting “jauhojengi”, which means “flour gang” in Finnish and is also slang for cocaine. 

At one point, Marin, 36, is seen on her knees with her arms behind her head, dancing and mimicking a song.

It wasn’t immediately clear when the party was held. 

Marin, however, Thursday denied taking any drugs during what she described as the “wild” party in a private home and contested the perceived use of the term “jauhojengi”. 

Ms Marin has been in power since December 2019— Finland’s youngest prime minister ever— and retains the support of her party.

This week’s developments came after Marin was forced to issue a public apology at the end of last year for going out clubbing after coming into close contact with a COVID-19-positive individual. 

The Finnish prime minister said at the time that she had missed a message telling her to isolate because she had left her work phone at home. She did not test positive for the virus.

Moreover, the Finnish leader, was dubbed the “coolest politican in the world” by German news outlet Bild last week.