Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has defended her 'human' desire to have fun following the controversy around leaked footage of her partying.
Marin was close to tears as she addressed the footage that attracted global headlines in front of a crowd in the southern Finland town of Lahti on Wednesday (local time).
"I am also human." Finnish media quoted Marin. "I want to believe that people look at the work we do, not what we do in our free time."
The scandal kicked off when footage of the 36-year-old dancing at a private party began circulating on social media and was quickly picked up by news outlets.
More images later surfaced from what appears to be a different party at the prime minister's official residence in Helsinki showing two well-known female influencers kissing each other and covering their bare breasts with a "Finland" sign.
Despite returning a negative drug test after public outcry and insisting partying did not impair her ability to work, Finns have been divided over the behviour with some voicing support and others slamming the premier.
But Marin, who became the world's youngest elected leader when she became Prime Minister in December 2019, is refusing to bow to the critics, publicly defending her desire to have fun.
"Amid these dark times I too miss sometimes joy, light and fun," Marin said during her speech.
She said the photos and videos were from her private life and were not intended for the public to see.
"It's private, it's joyful and it's life. But I haven't missed a single day of work, I haven't missed a single work assignment and I never will," Marin said.
"All that is irrelevant when we need to build this country stronger."
Earlier this week Marin apologised for the "inappropriate" photos of the woman exposing their breasts, but reiterated that nothing "extraordinary" happened at the get together.
The controversy has highlighted what some say are sexist double standard within politics where male leaders are praised for letting loose, but as soon it's a woman she is forced to defend her job.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese got a standing ovation from a Sydney crowd for chugging a beer during a concert.
Marin told Reuters in January that she and her fellow young female ministers have been targeted with extensive hate speech for their gender and appearance while in office.
