Wellington: Reflecting on the uproar surrounding a leaked video of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin partying, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern has bemoaned the harsh spotlight that may put people off entering public life.
Marin was engulfed in a storm of criticism following the publication of a private video showing her partying and dancing with friends.
Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin has tested negative in a drugs test she took after a leaked video last week showed her dancing exuberantly and drinking at a party. Credit:Twitter
New Zealand’s prime minister said she did not want to interfere in “domestic political situations of any other leader or country” but suggested the outcry was damaging.
“My one general reflection is that ever since I’ve been in this role I’ve really had a mind to whether or not we are attracting people to these jobs,” Ardern said.
“We need people from all walks of life to look to politics and think, ‘That’s a place I feel I can make a positive difference’.
“That’s one of my reflections. How do we constantly make sure that we attract people to politics, rather than – perhaps as has been historically the case – put them off.”
New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern says the lack of privacy afforded to politicians makes it hard to attract new talent.Credit:Newswire
Marin, prime minister since 2019, is often compared with Ardern – both being young, female leaders with centre-left outlooks and managing coalition governments.
Prior to taking office, Ardern was known for enjoying the odd DJ spot, with a varied setlist covering everything from Iggy Pop to Beyonce.
Under her leadership, the Labour Party has placed a focus on achieving diversity of representation in its caucus.
Following its 2020 election win, Labour’s party room boasted a female majority for the first time.
New Zealand’s current parliament includes representatives from a record number of ethnic backgrounds and has been ranked as having the highest LGBTQI representation of any lawmaking chamber in the world.
Greens leader Marama Davidson said Marin’s situation showed female politicians were held to different standards to their male counterparts over what constituted appropriate behaviour.
“There’s a definite sexist double standard going on there,” she said.
“There’s something [valuable] about understanding politicians to be more than two-dimensional, and having human lives.
“It’s really important to humanise representatives and make us more relatable to people’s ordinary lives.”
Underlining the double standard, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was on Monday applauded after sculling a beer at a concert in Sydney.
New Zealand’s Opposition Leader Chris Luxon, of the centre-right National party, said he had “a little bit of the same reaction” as Davidson.
“A prime minister is entitled to a personal life,” he said.
“The way you judge the prime minister is on the outcomes and what they achieve.”
AAP
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