2023-04-16 03:58:20
She had brought a breath of fresh air by becoming at only 34 years old, the youngest head of government in the world. Sanna Marin, 37, whose political future is the subject of speculation, announced at a press conference on Wednesday that she would not seek a new term as leader of the Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP). ) at the next congress in September, following its defeat on Sunday in the general elections in Finland.
Ultra-popular, Sanna Marin even made the cover of Time Magazine in March 2021. However, her media popularity was not enough. She could not do better than a third place with her party in the elections on Sunday, where she was beaten by the center right and the nationalist party. “I will submit the government’s resignation tomorrow (Thursday),” she said.
Referring to the “great honor” of leading the government for three and a half years, the one who has become a recognized international figure during her mandate also entrusted “exceptionally difficult times”.
“My own endurance was tested”
His very feminine government, his good management of the Covid-19 pandemic and Finland’s membership of NATO, as well as his firm stand against neighboring Russia on the war in Ukraine had turned the spotlight on a leader with a modern profile. “I honestly have to admit that my own stamina has been tested over the years,” she explained. “I hope I will have a little calmer life, with these responsibilities behind me”. She also announced her retirement from politics on her Instagram account. His post totaled 43,566 likes in just one hour.
The one described as a “Rock star Prime Minister” is more divided in her country, where she has been criticized for the deterioration of public finances and inflation. His two main adversaries, Petteri Orpo and the leader of the sovereignist and anti-immigration party of the “basic Finns”, had focused their attacks on the economic situation of the country and the rise in prices.
But she had been able to blow a new wind on the SDP, a party from an aging and masculine industrial world. “She made us proud, before people laughed at us, we were an old school party,” Mo Shimer, a 26-year-old SDP activist, told AFP. But her electoral defeat marks a halt to the rapid rise of the young politician.
His party, which had improved its score compared to the 2019 elections, could however join a coalition with future Prime Minister Petteri Orpo if he chooses to ally with the left rather than the far right. Sanna Marin also ruled out the possibility of her becoming a minister in this case. “I don’t think it’s likely that I’ll be on the ministerial team myself,” she said. “I was not offered an international position. I will continue my work as a deputy, ”said the social democrat.
As for the hypothesis of representing Finland in the new European Commission next year, she also ruled it out when this post traditionally goes to the ruling party. “It is very clear that the main government party will continue to take the post of commissioner in the future, which has been the case so far,” explained Sanna Marin.
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