A vulgar video of the former prime minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, dancing and having fun at a private party surfaced last year, sparking turmoil that continued into 2023 and ultimately led to her resignation. This was possibly the most unusual political scandal in history. The film, which showed the former prime minister dancing and drinking with pals in an apartment, was viewed by some as more proof that she attended too many festivals and parties for someone in her position of importance. After the partying scene, Marin, who was 36 at the time the video was taken, suffered even more backlash from critics who called her actions unbecoming.
Nevertheless, the young leader continued to face backlash for her behavior into 2023, culminating in her defeat in April’s Finnish parliamentary election. The defeat became even more embarrassing for the leader when it became clear her party would fall to third place in the election, causing her to announce days later that she would be stepping down as the leader of the Social Democratic Party later in 2023.
Marin followed through on that promise and left Parliament all together in September, announcing that she would become an adviser to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. It was also revealed that the former leader signed with Range Media Partners in October, a talent agency that represents other big-name celebrities and will help Marin navigate future media opportunities.
