Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin is leaving politics

(Patria) - Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who was one of the youngest European leaders and a strong voice in support of Ukraine, announced on Thursday that she is leaving Finnish politics and will join a London-based non-profit organization.

Marin, who was 37 when she took office as prime minister in 2019, led a five-party center-left governing coalition until April this year. Her cabinet's response to the COVID-19 pandemic received praise, and her vocal support for Ukraine last year increased her global popularity. During her term, her country, Finland, also became the 31st member of NATO.

"It's time to move on. I am eager to step into a new role. I also believe it can benefit all of Finland," Marin said at a press conference.

In April, Finland joined the NATO military alliance, dealing a major blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Due to its specific historical relationship with Russia, the country had a political decision to remain neutral regarding NATO, but it trained its military in accordance with NATO standards.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, Finland and its neighbor Sweden applied for membership in the Alliance.

"I believe I can serve the voters (in Finland, op.a.) well, and perhaps even better in a new role," said Marin, who recently resigned as leader of the Social Democratic Party.

Marin will join the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and earlier this month the non-profit organization announced that she would become a "strategic advisor".

"The task will be to advise various countries, governments, and leaders on political issues that I am familiar with, such as good governance, technology, climate, gender equality, and other issues I have had to work with," Marin said.

In the April parliamentary elections, Marin lost to Finland's main conservative party. After the election defeat, she said she looked forward to a quieter life, and later also announced that she was divorcing her husband.

As prime minister, she led a coalition government, including her Social Democrats, the Center Party, the Green League, the Left Alliance, and the Swedish People's Party in Finland.

She also actively used social media, which earned her international popularity.