Finnish PM returns negative result after taking drug test to 'clear suspicion' over partying video

In addition to denying taking drugs at the party, Sanna Marin said she did not witness any drug use by any of the attendees.

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin standing while speaking into microphones.

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin took a drug test to "clear suspicion" after a video of her dancing at a party sparked backlash. Source: AAP, AP / Olivier Matthys

Key Points
  • Finland's prime minister received a negative result in a drug test.
  • Sanna Marin's urine sample was tested for the presence of various drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis.
Finland's prime minister received a negative result in a drug test which she took to "clear up suspicions" after , her office said.

Sanna Marin's urine sample was tested for the presence of various drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis and opioids, Iida Vallin, a special adviser to the prime minister, told news agency AFP.

"A drug test taken from Prime Minister Sanna Marin on 19 August 2022 did not reveal the presence of drugs," Ms Marin's office said in a statement on Monday, adding that the results were signed by a doctor.

"The test was a comprehensive drug test. We did not choose how the test was done," Ms Vallin said.

A video leaked last week showed Marin dancing and partying with a group of friends and celebrities that created controversy across the world.
Some interpreted comments heard on the video as referring to narcotics, something heavily debated on social media and strongly denied by the prime minister.

"To clear up any suspicions, I have taken a drug test today," she told reporters at her residence on Friday.

Ms Marin previously said she was "spending an evening with friends" and that the videos were "filmed in private premises".

She admitted to having drunk alcohol. In addition to denying taking drugs, she said she did not witness any drug use by any of the attendees.

"Never in my life, not even in my youth, have I ever used any drugs," she said.
Ms Marin - who was appointed in 2019 at the age of 34 - has previously been the target of criticism over parties at her official residence.

In December 2021, she came under sustained criticism after it was revealed she stayed out dancing until the early hours despite having been exposed to COVID-19.

A poll commissioned by Finnish TV channel MTV3 at the time found two-thirds of respondents thought her night out was a "serious mistake".

Share
Published 23 August 2022 7:43am
Updated 23 August 2022 8:09am
Source: AFP

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world