Sanna Marin, Finland’s former prime minister, has expressed anger that her public image remains defined by tabloid-fodder videos showing her dancing provocatively — despite her years of political leadership.
Marin, who became prime minister at just 34, said she’s bitter that her “six-hour night out” feels to many like a more important part of her story than her four-year tenure in office. She pointed out there’s a “layer of misogyny” in how her behavior has been covered — claiming male politicians would never be subjected to the same level of moral scrutiny for letting loose.
During her time in power, Marin led Finland through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and played a role in the country’s diplomatic shifts. Now out of office, she continues to speak about forgiveness and self-expression, saying she wants people to accept that a leader’s day job doesn’t necessarily define their entire life.
She also noted that despite the criticism, she’s not backing down: “I want a world where you can dance freely when the day’s work is done.”
