8 months ago, Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin went viral for partying. She just lost the election.

Today, much of the world is reeling over news that Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin has conceded defeat in her country's election as the opposition right-wing National Coalition Party claimed victory in a tightly fought contest.

Marin, 37, is considered by fans around the globe as a millennial role model for progressive new leaders, and became the youngest person to hold office in Finnish history at just 34. While the mother-of-one remains very popular among many Finns, particularly young moderates, she antagonised some conservatives with lavish spending on pensions and education that they see as not frugal enough.

But another major gripe that some Finns had was to do with the PM's 'partying'. Because just a couple of months ago, Marin had many of us asking ourselves: Does a Prime Minister have a right to party?

It was a question being directly levelled against Marin.

Watch the videos in question. Story continues below.

Who is Sanna Marin?

Since 2019, Marin held the top job in Finland, and she became the youngest person to hold the office in Finnish history at just 34 when she became PM. She was also one of the world's youngest leaders.

As a member of the Social Democratic Party of Finland, Marin often touted progressive-minded politics, and made headlines in 2022 when it was announced that Finland would be joining NATO alongside Sweden. 

Sweden and Finland have often clung to their non-militarily aligned status – but Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed everything, with Marin taking a strong stance against their Russian neighbour. 

She has also made positive headlines for breastfeeding her daughter in parliament, championing parental leave and climate change, and establishing a cabinet made up of majority women.

So why was Marin shamed by some of the world? Well, it has everything to do with leaked videos of her dancing and partying.

What did Sanna Marin do?

In August 2022, a leaked video of Marin dancing has caused a media storm across Finland, and internationally.

In the footage, Marin is seen dancing and drinking exuberantly, with a group of friends. It was a private party in a private residence. 

Marin confirmed the party took place around July, and was attended by herself, friends and a bunch of other well-known Finnish individuals including influencers, a YouTuber, a stylist, a singer, media personalities and a fellow MP.

The video was first published by Finnish tabloid Iltalehti and compiled from several since-deleted Instagram clips. Petteri Järvinen, a cybersecurity expert quoted by Iltalehti raised the possibility Russia had hacked the phone or social accounts of someone who is part of the close circle of the Finnish PM.

In the video, Marin could be seen drinking. There was no evidence of drug-taking. Some Finnish media have reported claims – amplified on social media by anti-government accounts – that a voice in the background of the video can be heard allegedly saying 'the flour gang'. In Finland, that is reportedly a common reference to cocaine.

Marin said she did not take any illegal drugs, nor does she say this term was used. Marin also said that to the best of her knowledge no drugs had been consumed at the party. She also described her alcohol consumption as "moderate".

Here's what critics said about Sanna Marin.

The leaked video triggered immediate criticism from some.

One MP from a separate Finnish political party tweeted that the PM should take a drug test and publish the result. 

Some media commentators also took a particular interest in a separate video of her dancing with a well-known Finnish singer in a nightclub. For context, Marin is a married mother of one, whose husband was not in attendance nor shown in the footage.

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A post shared by Sanna Marin (@sannamarin)

Overall, the argument was that Marin should not have been intoxicated and she engaged in inappropriate behaviour for a PM, especially given the heightened tensions amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

It should be noted that the weekend of the party, Marin did not have any scheduled government meetings. But as Marin recently said, she should have been able to have a personal life despite her job.

It's not the first time that Marin's partying has made headlines. In December 2021, she apologised after going out to a nightclub and missing a text message advising her to avoid social contacts due to her proximity to someone infected with COVID-19. 

Marin said she didn't see the message because she had left her phone at home. She tested negative for the virus.

How did Sanna Marin respond?

Marin told reporters she was "upset" that the clips, which she knew were being filmed but believed would remain private, had been leaked.

"I spent the evening with my friends, partied, even in a rowdy way, danced and sang. These videos are private and filmed in a private space. I resent that these became known to the public," the 37-year-old said. Marin also said she has never taken illegal drugs before.

"I spent a night with my friends. We just partied, also in a boisterous way. I had some time off and I spent it with my friends. And I didn't do anything illegal."

Marin also confirmed she had nothing "to conceal or hide" and wished to be "the same person as I have been until now".

"I myself have not used drugs, nor anything other than alcohol. Nor have I been in such a situation that I would have seen or known others [using drugs]. I was dancing, singing, partying… hugging my friends, doing totally legal things."

Marin had to take a drug test for her "own legal protection". The results came back in her favour.

Sanna Marin making a statement in regards to the partying leaked video. Image: AAP. 

How Finnish women stood up for their former leader. 

Hundreds of Finnish women went on social media to express support for Marin.

The hashtag #solidaritywithsanna was trending, with plenty of Nordic women of all ages filming themselves dancing and partying with friends.  

Wir sollten sowieso mehr tanzen. Frauen in Finnland posten Partyvideos von sich und taggen Premierministerin Sanna Marin and I think thats beautiful ❤️#solidaritywithsanna https://t.co/KqZ77hm6gx

— Nadine Dunst-Ender (@undnadineso) August 20, 2022

Go girls - let’s make this global #letsdance #solidaritywithsanna #SannaMarin #girlpower pic.twitter.com/dkwKDPkb98

— elisa williams 🇺🇦 💛💙 (@yogimummy) August 20, 2022

Mondseer Seefest im Sommer 2022 mit allen Zutaten: Lebkuchenherz, fragwürdiges Blinke-Krönchen, nicht sehr musikalisches Gegröle … #solidaritywithsanna pic.twitter.com/TkaStl3stl

— Henrike Brandstötter 🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@brand_rede) August 20, 2022

As Marin said, "I hope it's accepted that even decision-makers dance, sing and go to parties.

"I have a family life, I have a work life, and I have free time to spend with my friends. I'm pretty sure that's the same as many people my age. I hope that's accepted. We live in a democracy."

This article was originally published in August 2022, and has since been updated with new information.

Feature Image: AAP/Iltalehti/Instagram @sannamarin.