Norwegian police announced on Friday the opening of an investigation after embarrassing revelations that Prime Minister Erna Solberg and her family violated anti-COVID guidelines.
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Faced with the outcry, the popular leader of the Nordic country, where equality before the law is a sacrosanct principle, apologized for the discrepancies that supposedly marred the celebration of her 60th birthday.
“In the light of information published in the press as well as statements by the Prime Minister herself, the police have decided to launch an investigation related to possible violations of health rules,” the police said in a statement.
Thursday evening, the NRK public broadcaster revealed that Ms. Solberg and her family, gathered to celebrate the birthday of the head of government at the end of February, had violated health rules and recommendations aimed at limiting social interactions.
“I apologize that my family and I broke the anti-COVID rules, that should never have happened. We should of course have respected all the recommendations as I ask you to do, ”wrote the head of government in a long message posted on Facebook.
“I especially think of all those who have had to cancel things they were looking forward to, a birthday with classmates, a party with friends or something else important. I understand those who are angry and disappointed about this. I made a mistake and I want to apologize for it, ”she added.
The case is potentially embarrassing for the center-right leader, generally hailed for her handling of the health crisis but against which critical voices are beginning to rise within a few lengths of legislative elections scheduled for September 13.
On February 25, 13 of Ms. Solberg’s family had dined at a restaurant – in her absence because she had to go to hospital for eye problems – when the rules limited the number of attendees to ten. a private event in a public space.
The next day, Ms. Solberg and her relatives had violated a recommendation – which has a set value in Norway – by finding themselves at 14, a priori four more than the recommended limit, to enjoy sushi in her rental apartment.
The Prime Minister said she was ready to pay a possible fine – usually high – that could be imposed if the breaches of the rules were to be established by the police.
These revelations have made waves on social media.
“If the PRIME MINISTER, with hordes of advisers, does not succeed in understanding the rules, it is TOTALLY ABERRANT to demand that the common person succeeds”, rebelled a user on Twitter.
Some have called for his resignation.