Finnish Prime Minister Sana Marine apologized today for a photo from a private party she hosted at her official residence in July following the controversy surrounding her party last week.

Yesterday, Monday, the prime minister, who is one of the youngest leaders in the world, tested negative for drugs. She did it to allay concerns after posting a video last week of her singing and dancing with Finnish celebrities at another party.

Another photo began circulating on social media this week of two prominent influencers kissing while covering their bare chests with the words “Finland” (“Finland”) from the prime minister’s official residence in Helsinki.

“In my opinion, the photo is inappropriate. I apologize for her. Such photos should not have been taken, but otherwise nothing out of the ordinary happened at the meeting,” Marin told reporters, confirming that the photo was taken from her home.

Marin, 36, who is open about enjoying her free time, said the photo was taken during a private party with friends after a music festival in July.

“We took a sauna, swam and spent time together,” she said of the party at her residence.

Finns were divided over the prime minister’s behavior, with some expressing support for the young prime minister who juggles her private life with her high-profile career, while others asked if her judgment might be affected by her leisure activities.

Marin, who leads the Social Democratic Party and became the world’s youngest head of government in December 2019, agreed to undergo a drug test on Friday, saying she had never taken drugs or seen anyone do so at a party she she visited.

Marin told Reuters in January that she and her young fellow ministers were the targets of excessive hate speech because of their gender and appearance.

^{Source: APE-MEB, Reuters}