Finland’s leader, who was last week branded the “coolest prime minister in the world” by German news outlet Bild, came under fire this week after leaked footage showed her partying. Some politicians urged her to be tested for narcotics. The 36-year-old told a news conference on Friday she had taken a test – and results would be available next week.
Ms Marin, who has been in power since December 2019, told reporters she has never taken drugs, and insisted: “I did nothing illegal.
“Even in my teenage years, I have not used any kind of drugs.”
Ms Marin, who stressed she is entitled to the presumption of innocence, said at she took the test to allay concerns.
Opposition party leader Riikka Purra was among those to call for Ms Marin to take a voluntary drug test, saying there was a “shadow of doubt” hanging over her.
MP Mikko Karna, a member of the Centre Party — part of Ms Marin’s coalition government — tweeted “it would be wise” for the Prime Minister to “voluntarily undergo a drugs test”.
Ms Marin suggested she would consider taking one, telling reporters she had “not used drugs” and had “no problem taking tests”.
She said: “I have a family life, I have a work life and I have free time to spend with my friends. Pretty much the same as many people my age.”
Reporters questioned whether the leader, who once was the world’s youngest head of government — a title now held by Chilean President Gabriel Boric — would have been able to make snap governmental decisions if necessary.
To that, she said: “I don’t remember a single time that there was a sudden situation in the middle of the night to go to the State Council Palace.
“I think my ability to function was really good. There were no known meetings on the days I was partying.”
The party seen in the leaked clip, which was widely shared across social media, is said to have taken place a few weeks ago at private flats.
Several Finnish media personalities appear in the video.
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It is no secret Ms Marin likes to party, and she has often been pictured at music festivals.
Last year, she apologised for going to a club after coming into close contact with a COVID-19 case.
She was initially told she didn’t need to self-isolate but then missed a text message telling her the opposite because she had left her work phone at home.
Speaking of the leaked video, she said she knew she was being filmed but was disappointed the clip had become public.
She said: “I trust that people understand that leisure time and work time can be separated.”
Ms Marin previously said of the backlash: “I danced, sang, and partied – perfectly legal things.
“And I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve seen or known of others [using drugs].”