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The Prime Minister reacted to Sali Berisha's accusations about the cost of the concert, defending the government's decision to finance the event with 4 million euros, which, until a few days ago, had been considered entirely private.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has attempted to justify the government's decision to finance the concert of American rapper Kanye West with 4 million euros, just days after the government insisted that the event would not cost Albanian taxpayers a single penny.
Through a long video on Facebook, Rama reacted to a video published by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who claims that the cost of the concert reaches 50 million euros.
In his response, the head of government did not stop at the figure mentioned by Berisha, but focused on the funding of 4 million euros approved by the government through a Normative Act.
" From the beginning, we have only signed a letter of readiness as hosts, where we have guaranteed, in addition to hospitality, security and logistical support, emphasizing that we do not undertake any financial commitment. No financial commitment ," Rama said.
However, he admitted that the government intervened at the last moment with 4 million euros.
" But how do you do it when you are forced 'in extremis' to intervene, as we did in fact just last night, with 4 million euros, to prevent the cancellation of a long-awaited concert and the embarrassment of Albania ," declared the Prime Minister.
According to Rama, the intervention was necessary to avoid canceling the concert and damaging the country's image in front of tens of thousands of spectators who, according to him, purchased tickets from outside Albania.
He also compared the economic impact of the concert to the UEFA Conference League final held in Tirana.
" The benefits from that international sports event were extraordinary and the benefits from this international music event will also be extraordinary ," Rama said.
His statement comes after the government approved a Normative Act to allocate around 400 million lek from the state budget reserve fund, while earlier representatives of the executive had stated that the concert would be organized by private individuals and would not have funding from the state budget.
The decision has sparked public debate, with lawyers and economic experts raising questions about the use of a Normative Act and the emergency fund to finance a music event.
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