TIRANA – “Make up your mind as we are alone in this war for existence.” This has been the most pessimistic and straightforward confession made by Prime Minister Edi Rama since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic a few days ago telling his compatriots that Albania had no one to reach out for help to make easier the confrontation with Covid-19. Against such a backdrop the government head unveiled on Thursday the financial plan of his government to cope with the current situation.
“We have no one to extend our hand to,” Rama said in a long interview on a local TV on Wednesday evening. “We are in front of a storm which can claim hundreds of thousands of lives, lying in hospitals or even gyms,” said the government head who shifted his public approach from an optimist claiming the country was not in any peril to a forewarner of very hard times.
Since the public announcement of the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic 64 cases of affected people have been announced with two fatalities in Albania as the government is stepping up protective measures to prevent the spread of the virus which has hit most the capital Tirana and central part of the country. In daily public appearance on TVs and social outlets Mr. Rama is trying to raise the awareness of the people on the necessity of respecting the rigorous measures applied in the country with the main restriction to curb movements outside of houses. ‘Stay at home’ has become the major demand to the citizens. Through this measure it is aimed to diminish as much as possible the number of the affected people in face of a poor health system.
“This war returns us to the protection of ourselves within the walls of our home,” Rama said adding that there will be lower incomes as it is worked less than before. “The revenues of the government – of the big house – will fall down fearfully in this terrible war,” he said warning that the revenues of the state budget will drop greatly.
Seven-point government plan to back battered economy
As it was announced Premier Rama unveiled the 7-point financial plan on Thursday saying that Covid-19 had forced the government to take drastic measures to support the battered economy by the outbreak of coronavirus.
The first item of the plan was health sector with 25 million dollars allocated for doctors, nurses and all medical staff engaged in taking care of coronavirus patients. In the meantime some 100 million dollars will be earmarked for the companies in difficult financial situation so that they can pay employees’ wages.
According to the plan, an amount of 6.5 million dollars will go the people in need and small businesses. Defense Ministry will get 2 billion lek for human operations, while 1 billion lek is set aside for the government for any emergencies. The plan foresees also the forgiving of all penalties for energy bills due to which 211,024 citizens are expected to benefit. The last point says that balance sheets of businesses will be put off to June 01 this year.
While making the announcement on halving the salaries of ministers and deputies Rama said President’s wage will also be halved. He took this opportunity to thank President Ilir Meta publicly by saying: “Since we have entered this war he (president) is helping how he can and as much as he can.” /argumentum.al
© Argumentum
