Prime Minister Edi Rama has admitted that his Socialist Party “seriously” violated pandemic restrictions imposed by his government during a political rally, but said he was not informed whether fines were imposed.
The PS held celebrations in Tirana’s main square on Tuesday following their victory in Albanian elections of April 25, where thousands of people gathered in disregard of assembly restrictions, social distancing and requirement to wear a mask.
Commenting on this on a TV talk show on Thursday, the head of the PS said he was not expecting the rally to be in that format when he joined the crowd to celebrate but was instead expecting compliance with restrictions.
Police fined independent candidate Elton Debreshi €40,000 for violating pandemic restriction during his campaign in Albania’s villages. The fine amounts to several years the miner’s salary.
Rama said he didn’t know whether police had fined himself or anyone else in the ruling Socialist Party rally.
