'I am human, I too long for joy': Finland PM Sanna Marin on party video criticisms

Speaking at an event of her Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Lahti city, north of Helsinki, Marin said: "I am human. And I too sometimes long for joy, light and fun amidst these dark clouds."

"It's private, it's joy, and it's life," she said as she fought to hold back her tears and added: "But I haven't missed a single day of work."

The Finland PM said the last week had been "quite difficult".

"I want to believe that people will look at what we do at work rather than what we do in our spare time," she said.

Marin, last week, faced massive backlash after a leaked video of her dancing wildly and partying hard with friends went viral.

In the footage, presumed to be taken from social media, she and friends including Finnish celebrities are seen dancing and singing.

She had faced criticism from opposition parties, with one leader even demanding that she take a drug test.

Marin, 36, denied taking drugs, saying she only drank alcohol and just partied "in a boisterous way", BBC had reported.

On Tuesday, Marin was forced to apologise for a photo taken at her residence in July of two women kissing, lifting their tops leaving their torsos bare and covering their breasts with a sign that says "Finland".

The picture was first published on a TikTok account by a former Miss Finland contestant and social media influencer, who appears in the photo.

Marin's party supported her during the video controversy but according to local media reports, this new picture has led to increasing criticism within the Social Democrats.

Formerly the world's youngest head of government, Marin, 36, has always been open about partying and has often been photographed at music festivals.

Last year, she apologised for going out to a club after coming into close contact with a Covid-19 case.