Finland PM Sanna Marin On Criticism Over Party Pics: "I Too Sometimes Long For Joy"

Finland's prime minister Sanna Marin on Wednesday gave a tearful defence of her work record and her right to a private life after criticism sparked by a video of the 36-year-old partying. In addition to her emotional speech she also apologised for a photo that showed two women kissing and posing topless at the official summer residence of the country’s leader.

Marin, 36 - one of the world's youngest leaders - is fighting off backlash for party. She defended her record and described that the last week had been "quite difficult".

Finland PM Sanna Marin on party controversy

"I am human. And I too sometimes long for joy, light and fun amidst these dark clouds," Sanna Marin said as she fought to hold back tears at her Social Democratic Party's (SDP) event in Lahti city, north of Helsinki.

"It's private, it's joy, and it's life," she said. "But I haven't missed a single day of work."

"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.

A video leaked last week -- which caused headlines around the world -- showed Marin dancing and partying with a group of friends and celebrities. Her dancing in the video has been criticised by some as inappropriate behaviour for a prime minister, while others have defended her right to enjoy a private event with friends.

In a bid to clear up any suspicion around narcotics, she took also a drug test on Friday and subsequently tested negative.

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

“In my opinion, that photo is not appropriate, I apologize for that. That photo shouldn’t have been taken,” Marin said Tuesday, according to Finnish broadcaster YLE.

In a show of solidarity, several women across the world shared videos of themselves dancing with the hashtag 'Solidarity With Sanna'.

Suggested Reading: Sanna Marin Controversy: Doesn’t The Finnish Prime Minister Have The Right To Party?