By AFP
HELSINKI: Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who lost a general election at the weekend, said Wednesday that she would step down as Social Democratic Party leader in September.
“I have come to the conclusion that I will not seek to continue as SDP leader at the forthcoming party conference in September,” Marin told reporters in Helsinki.
The 37-year-old said she would continue as a lawmaker, despite speculation that a top international post could be in the offering for her.
“I have not been offered any international posts. I will continue my work as a member of parliament,” she said.
She also said she would submit her government’s resignation on Thursday, acknowledging that her four-year term as prime minister had taken a toll on her.
“My own endurance has been tested at times during these years,” she said.
Marin said she intends to lead the SDP’s negotiations with the National Coalition Party, which won Sunday’s legislative election in a close race, in the coming talks on forming a new government.
But she said she did not expect to be a minister if the next government includes her Social Democrats.
“I don’t think it’s likely that I would be in that line-up of ministers myself,” she said.
After basking in the spotlight of European politics, Marin failed to turn her exceptional popularity into enough seats in parliament for her Social Democratic Party to remain in power.
The SDP came in third place with 43 seats, behind the conservative National Coalition with 48 seats and the far-right Finns Party with 46.
Marin, who has been prime minister since 2019, is a highly popular figure internationally and at home, but acknowledged that her premiership had put a strain on her personally.
She said her Cabinet has gone through some rough periods in the past years and the center-left government has had to resort to difficult decisions. Marin has won praise, among other things, for steering Finland through the COVID-19 pandemic and championing the country’s NATO bid together with President Sauli Niinistö, and for being a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Her private life and active social media usage have received a lot of international coverage during her premiership. Marin said she hopes to be able to live “a slightly more peaceful life” in the future.
“These have been exceptionally difficult years and difficult times,” Marin said, “Now that the election result is like this, I consider that I have the opportunity to open a new page in my own life.”
Marin’s Cabinet will officially resign on Thursday. Talks to form a new government are to begin next week under the leadership of Petteri Orpo, the head of the National Coalition Party.
(with inputs from Associated Press)
HELSINKI: Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who lost a general election at the weekend, said Wednesday that she would step down as Social Democratic Party leader in September.
“I have come to the conclusion that I will not seek to continue as SDP leader at the forthcoming party conference in September,” Marin told reporters in Helsinki.
The 37-year-old said she would continue as a lawmaker, despite speculation that a top international post could be in the offering for her.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
“I have not been offered any international posts. I will continue my work as a member of parliament,” she said.
She also said she would submit her government’s resignation on Thursday, acknowledging that her four-year term as prime minister had taken a toll on her.
“My own endurance has been tested at times during these years,” she said.
Marin said she intends to lead the SDP’s negotiations with the National Coalition Party, which won Sunday’s legislative election in a close race, in the coming talks on forming a new government.
But she said she did not expect to be a minister if the next government includes her Social Democrats.
“I don’t think it’s likely that I would be in that line-up of ministers myself,” she said.
After basking in the spotlight of European politics, Marin failed to turn her exceptional popularity into enough seats in parliament for her Social Democratic Party to remain in power.
The SDP came in third place with 43 seats, behind the conservative National Coalition with 48 seats and the far-right Finns Party with 46.
Marin, who has been prime minister since 2019, is a highly popular figure internationally and at home, but acknowledged that her premiership had put a strain on her personally.
She said her Cabinet has gone through some rough periods in the past years and the center-left government has had to resort to difficult decisions. Marin has won praise, among other things, for steering Finland through the COVID-19 pandemic and championing the country’s NATO bid together with President Sauli Niinistö, and for being a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Her private life and active social media usage have received a lot of international coverage during her premiership. Marin said she hopes to be able to live “a slightly more peaceful life” in the future.
“These have been exceptionally difficult years and difficult times,” Marin said, “Now that the election result is like this, I consider that I have the opportunity to open a new page in my own life.”
Marin’s Cabinet will officially resign on Thursday. Talks to form a new government are to begin next week under the leadership of Petteri Orpo, the head of the National Coalition Party.
(with inputs from Associated Press)
