Austria's president violates exit rules, arrested by police at Albanian restaurant

Due to the pandemic in Austria, locals must be closed by 11:00. The Austrian president has forgotten this rule and has been discovered by police at an Albanian bar in Vienna. Alexander van der Bellen has already apologized.

“restaurant Sole” in Vienna hardly had more powerful advertising than today in the Austrian media. That's because of a promising guest. After a long time, Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen decided last night to have dinner with his wife and two friends. After midnight in the bar garden “Sole” an Austrian police patrol met two guests with drinks on the table. They were the president and his wife, their two friends had probably left earlier.

Under new regulations imposed by the Corona virus, locals in Austria must be closed at 11:00. News of the president's capture at the restaurant has revealed Austrian newspapers, while also announcing “Der Spiegel” in Germany.

Password “Sole” is located in the heart of Vienna and is owned by Albanian Aki Nuredini. Opened in the early 1980s, the bar with Italian cuisine is a popular starting point for artists, politicians, composers, athletes.

Austria's President Alexander van der Bellen said he was surprised to chat and had not examined the clock. I am truly sorry. It was a mistake”, he said. On Twitter Van der Bellen reiterated the apology and said that if any damage was done to the restaurant owner, “I will answer”. Under new regulations because of local pandemics that remain open after 1100 can be fined up to 30,000 euros. The owner of the bar said that he had served for the last time at 11 p.m. and then closed the bar. The president and his wife had continued to stay outside the bar in the tent-covered area. Police announced they have notified the relevant authorities of the case.

Local owner Aki Nuredini said: “The president is my regular guest, as are many artists. He ordered fish for dinner. I did everything by the rules and closed the bar at 11:00, as the law says. The president has continued to stay with his wife outside the garden's cover-up”.