PM apologises for topless photo at official residence: 'Not appropriate'
The 36-year-old prime minister of Finland has apologised for an inappropriate photo taken at the leader's official residence.
Sanna Marin has been in the middle of a media storm after a video of her partying with friends, local celebrities and influencers was leaked online last week, prompting Ms Marin to take a drug test and publicly release the results.
A new video showing the prime minister dancing provocatively with Finnish model Sabina Särkkä, who formerly competed for the country in the Miss World contest, has also now appeared online.
As support has flooded in, with women around the world posting videos of themselves dancing in an act of solidarity with the PM, Ms Marin has largely remained defiant on the issue of her party-loving ways.
But it's another leaked image that has prompted contrition on the part of one of the world's youngest heads of state.
Ms Marin on Tuesday (local time) apologised for a picture that emerged from a private party she threw at her official residence in July.
The image shows two well-known female influencers kissing each other, covering their bare breasts with a "Finland" sign from the prime minister's official residence in Helsinki.
"In my opinion, the picture is not appropriate. I apologise for it," Ms Marin told reporters, confirming the photo was from her residence.
"That kind of a picture should not have been taken but otherwise, nothing extraordinary happened at the get-together."
Ms Marin, who became PM at the age of 34, has made no secret of her enjoyment of her leisure time, and said the picture was taken during a party after a music festival.
"We had sauna, swam and spent time together," she said, describing the party at her seaside residence.
Finns have been divided over their leader's behaviour, with some voicing support for the young PM for combining a private life with her high-profile career, while others have raised questions about whether her judgement could be impaired or compromised.
On Monday (local time) a drug test taken by the prime minister came back negative. It was taken to assuage concerns after the partying videos from a private Instagram account were leaked.
with Reuters
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