14:46 21 January 2023
Sanna Marin to be next president of European Commission?
Finnish media speculate that the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament are tempting Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin to become their leading candidate in the 2024 European elections. The S&D group also sees Marin as the next president of the European Commission. The Finnish prime minister is seen as a flawless candidate amid the recently revealed Katargate scandal.
According to the Finnish media, Marin's liberal values, combined with a tough stance on Russia, are seen as a winning combination that could also gain support from other parliamentary groups and eastern and western member states.
"In parliament and in Brussels in general, Marin is regarded as a unique political superstar who is not involved in scandals and is also popular abroad, especially with her statements on Ukraine," an anonymous source connected to the S&D, speaking to the newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus, said.
During the increasingly heated Finnish election campaign, Sanna Marin herself has not commented in any way on the rumors. Whether a move to Brussels would be of interest to her will only become clear after the Finnish elections, which are scheduled for 2 April.
