History of Sanna Marin in Timeline
Sanna Marin is a Finnish former politician, serving as Prime Minister of Finland from 2019 to 2023 and leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from 2020 to 2023. A Member of Parliament from 2015 to 2023, she was re-elected in April 2023. Marin resigned her parliamentary seat in September 2023 to become a strategic advisor at the Tony Blair Institute, focusing on political leaders' reform programs.
November 1985: Sanna Marin's Birth
In November 1985, Sanna Mirella Marin was born.
2004: Graduated from Pirkkala High School
In 2004, Sanna Marin graduated from the Pirkkala High School (Pirkkalan Yhteislukio) at the age of 19.
2006: Joined Social Democratic Youth
In 2006, Sanna Marin joined the Social Democratic Youth.
2008: Unsuccessful run for City Council of Tampere
In 2008, Sanna Marin unsuccessfully ran for election to the City Council of Tampere.
2010: Served as Director of the Social Democratic Youth
From 2010 to 2012, Sanna Marin served as the first director of the Social Democratic Youth.
2012: Served as Director of the Social Democratic Youth
From 2010 to 2012, Sanna Marin served as the first director of the Social Democratic Youth.
2012: Graduated with a Bachelor's Degree
In 2012, Sanna Marin graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Administrative Science from the University of Tampere.
2012: Elected to City Council of Tampere
In 2012, Sanna Marin was elected to the City Council of Tampere.
2013: Became Chairwoman of the City Council of Tampere
In 2013, Sanna Marin became the chairwoman of the City Council of Tampere, serving until 2017.
2014: Elected Second Deputy Chairman of SDP
In 2014, Sanna Marin was elected second deputy chairman of the SDP.
2014: Marin's attitude towards NATO
In 2014, Sanna Marin's attitude, as the vice chairman of SDP, was negative towards Finland joining NATO
2015: Elected to Finnish Parliament
In 2015, Sanna Marin was elected to the Finnish Parliament as an MP from the electoral district of Pirkanmaa.
2017: Graduated with a Master's Degree
In 2017, Sanna Marin graduated with a Master's degree in Administrative Science from the University of Tampere.
2017: Re-elected to City Council
In 2017, Sanna Marin was re-elected to the City Council.
2018: Birth of Daughter
In 2018, Sanna Marin had a daughter with her former partner Markus Räikkönen.
June 2019: Became Minister of Transport and Communications
On 6 June 2019, Sanna Marin became the Minister of Transport and Communications.
December 2019: Nominated as Prime Minister
In December 2019, Sanna Marin was nominated by the SDP to succeed Antti Rinne as the Prime Minister of Finland.
December 2019: Selected as Prime Minister of Finland
In December 2019, Sanna Marin was selected as the Prime Minister of Finland following Antti Rinne's resignation, becoming the youngest person to hold the office in Finnish history.
January 2020: Catering services in the Prime Minister's official residence
Between January 2020 and May 2021, Marin and her family had used around €14,363.20 on catering services in the form of breakfast provisions and cold evening meals in the Prime Minister's official residence, equivalent to €845 per month.
January 2020: Youngest Prime Minister
Upon her confirmation by the Finnish parliament Sanna Marin became Finland's youngest-ever Prime Minister in January 2020.
June 2020: Rinne formally remained party leader
In June 2020, Rinne formally remained party leader.
August 2020: Marriage to Markus Räikkönen
In August 2020, Sanna Marin married Markus Räikkönen at the Prime Minister's official residence, Kesäranta.
August 2020: Elected Chair of the SDP
On 23 August 2020, Sanna Marin was elected chair of the SDP, succeeding Antti Rinne.
October 2020: Represented Sweden at European Council Meeting
In October 2020, Sanna Marin stepped in to represent Sweden at a European Council meeting because Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven could not attend.
October 2020: Controversy over Trendi Magazine Photo
In October 2020, a photograph of Sanna Marin in Trendi magazine generated public debate over whether it demeaned her office or was a display of female empowerment.
November 2020: Named in BBC's 100 Women
On November 23, 2020, Sanna Marin was included in the BBC's 100 Women list.
December 2020: Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women
On December 9, 2020, Sanna Marin was ranked 85th on Forbes' list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women.
May 2021: Controversy over Grocery Spending
In May 2021, Finnish media reported that Marin and her family were spending about €300 per month on groceries with public funds as part of her tax-free housing benefits, sparking a controversy.
December 2021: COVID-19 Exposure and Nightclub Visit
In December 2021, Sanna Marin visited a Helsinki nightclub after being in contact with a COVID-positive Foreign Minister. Although initially advised she didn't need to isolate, she later received messages to self-isolate on her governmental work phone, which she didn't have with her, leading to public scrutiny.
February 2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine and Threats to Finland and Sweden
In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Subsequently, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson threatened Finland and Sweden with "military and political consequences" if they attempted to join NATO.
March 2022: Finland could discuss transferring F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine
On 10 March 2022, Marin said Finland could discuss transferring F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine, subject to international cooperation, training requirements and Finland's own security situation.
March 2022: President of Finland Visits Washington, D.C.
On 4 March 2022, President of Finland Sauli Niinistö visited Washington, D.C. to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on European and Finnish security.
May 2022: Finland announced application for NATO membership
In May 2022, Sanna Marin, together with president Sauli Niinistö, announced that Finland would apply for NATO membership.
May 2022: Finland to apply for NATO membership
On 12 May 2022, President Niinistö and Prime Minister Marin in a joint statement said that "Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay". On 15 May 2022, Niinistö and Marin announced that Finland would apply for NATO membership.
May 2022: Marin visited Kyiv and signed agreement on rebuilding Ukraine's education
On 26 May 2022, Marin visited Kyiv and signed a bilateral framework agreement on rebuilding Ukraine's education with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
August 2022: Leaked Party Videos and Drug Test
In August 2022, videos leaked of Sanna Marin partying in Helsinki, causing controversy and allegations of drug use. Marin voluntarily took a drug test on August 19th, which came back negative, in response to the allegations. Further controversy arose from a leaked photo from a party at her residence.
October 2022: Apology for Sámi Rights Legislation Delays
In October 2022, Sanna Marin apologized to the Indigenous Sámi people for delays in Sámi human rights legislation reform.
December 2022: Financial Times' 25 most influential women list
In December 2022 Financial Times selected Marin on the 25 most influential women list.
December 2022: Marin cleared of illegalities
In December 2022, the Office of the Chancellor of Justice cleared Marin of illegalities in its legal opinion.
December 2022: First Finnish Prime Minister visits New Zealand and Australia
In late November and early December 2022, Marin visited New Zealand and Australia, becoming the first Finnish prime minister to visit the two countries.
2022: Praised as an Icon of Progressive Leadership
In 2022, Sanna Marin was praised by The Australian Broadcasting Corporation as an icon of progressive leadership.
February 2023: Constitutional Law Committee suspends Sámi Parliament Act
On February 24, 2023, the constitutional law committee voted 9-7 to suspend work on the Sámi Parliament Act, preventing the legislation from being passed before the 2023 Finnish parliamentary election. The Centre Party voted with the conservative opposition to block the bill.
April 2023: Finland became a member of NATO
During Marin's term as prime minister, Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023.
April 2023: Finland joined NATO
In April 2023, Finland successfully joined NATO.
April 2023: Re-elected to Parliament, then Resigned
In April 2023, Sanna Marin was re-elected as a member of parliament. However, she later resigned to become a strategic advisor at the Tony Blair Institute in September 2023.
April 2023: Defeat Conceded in Parliamentary Election
On April 2, 2023, Sanna Marin conceded defeat to the center-right rivals in the 2023 Finnish parliamentary election, though her party gained seats and increased its vote share. She was re-elected with a Pirkanmaa district record of 35,623 votes.
April 2023: Resignation Announcement
On April 5, 2023, Sanna Marin announced her resignation as the leader of the Social Democratic Party at the next party congress.
May 2023: Filing for Divorce
In May 2023, Sanna Marin and Markus Räikkönen filed for divorce after 19 years together.
June 2023: Company MA/PI Oy Founded
In June 2023, Sanna Marin founded a company called MA/PI Oy, focusing on public speaking, publishing, and consulting.
June 2023: Petteri Orpo succeeded Sanna Marin
On 20 June 2023, Sanna Marin was succeeded by Petteri Orpo as prime minister of Finland.
August 2023: Requested Jutta Urpilainen to be Social Democratic Party's Candidate
In August 2023, Marin asked Jutta Urpilainen to be Social Democratic Party's candidate for the 2024 presidential election of Finland.
September 2023: Resigned as Member of Parliament
In September 2023, Sanna Marin resigned as a member of parliament to become a strategic advisor.
September 2023: Retired from Finnish Politics
In September 2023, Sanna Marin retired as leader of SDP from Finnish politics.
September 2023: Signed with Talent Agency
On 28 September 2023, it was reported that Sanna Marin had signed with talent agency Range Media Partners for film, TV, audio and brand collaborations.
September 2023: Antti Lindtman succeeds Sanna Marin as party leader
On September 1, 2023, Antti Lindtman succeeded Sanna Marin as leader of the Social Democratic Party.
September 2023: Resignation as MP and New Role at Tony Blair Institute
On September 7, 2023, Sanna Marin announced her intention to resign as an MP and take a position as a strategic advisor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Her resignation from the Finnish Parliament was approved on September 12, 2023.
2024: Finland presidential election
In August 2023, Marin asked Jutta Urpilainen to be Social Democratic Party's candidate for the 2024 presidential election of Finland.
