Former Finland PM Sanna Marin quits politics, joining Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon

Former Finnish PM Sanna Marin surprised her country when she made the announcement of her quitting politics on Thursday (September 7). With this decision, Sanna Marin has joined the likes of former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern and former Scotland First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon in quitting politics.

Marin is known as one of the youngest politicians in the world. She took over as the PM of Finland in 2019 at the age of 37 only. She was in office from 2019 to 2023 as a leader of the Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP) from 2020 to 2023 and was a Member of Parliament from 2015 to 2023.

Why? 

According to Finnish outlet Yle, Marin is expected to join former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s nonprofit organization as a ‘strategic councilor’. “Time to move on. I am eager to step into a new role. I also believe that it can benefit the whole of Finland,” Marrin was quoted by the news agency.

Marin lost her second bid for PM of Finland in April 2023 losing to conservative successor Petteri Orpo. She finished third in the race.

Since leaving office, she has been enamored with her ‘hot girl’ summer where she has attended her festivals amid her divorce from her husband Markus Raikkonen after 3 years of marriage.

What does the NGO do?

Founded in 2016, Tony Blair’s institute works with the political leaders “to create change for their people by advising on strategy, policy, and delivery.

Tony Blair in a statement said that since the aim of the organization is to help political leaders deliver change for their people, “Sanna Marin knows exactly that”.

“Ms Marin is bold and practical, understands the role that technology can play as an enabler of a more efficient and citizen-centered state, and will lend her experience to our mission in more countries throughout the world,” Blair said in a statment.

Third woman leader to quit politics

Sanna Marin is also the third woman politician to quit politics in 2023. Before her, former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had left office for good.

While Ardern left while she was in power, Sturgeon had resigned after her name surfaced in a financial fraud. As a leader of Scottish National Party (SNP) Sturgeon was also the Scotland’s longest running First Minister from 2014-2023.

Sanna Marin has now joined the two in leaving politics to focus on her personal career and ambitions.