The very bearable lightness of being PM

Being a country's leader has traditionally meant being a serious sort of person, exuding gravitas with occasional witticisms, the more wry the better. National premiership - whether prime ministership, presidentship or even China-style Great Helmsmanship - is deceptively gendered.

Even female leaders like Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Angela Merkel are feted for being 'the only man of her cabinet'. As a result, leaders who extol a certain lightness - a sense of levity, fun - have not been taken seriously. Enter Finnish PM Sanna Marin.

The 36-year-old has been steering her nation for the last two-and-a-half years. She is in the news for videos of her dancing and partying - one at her official residence, the other at Helsinki club. Unlike the nearby country of a PM who had hosted parties at his office during the pandemic, Marin is good at her job, with her country's economy and politics not in a total mess.


In other words, Finland, a country in the top 10 of all 'best quality of life' lists, has been doing great irrespective of its PM living life. Though she has apologised for her 'unprime ministerial' behaviour, Finnish women have stood, danced and partied behind her to show support. After all, who says that being a leader doesn't mean working hard, and playing hard? Don't answer that, ye stodges.