Protests continue in Tirana despite new government measures

Protests persisted in Tirana on Sunday despite new government measures aimed at reducing violence, ksevradio.com reported. The demonstrations, led by students, have been ongoing this month and are fueled by grievances over corruption, unemployment, and education standards.

Protesters assembled in front of the Education Ministry and marched to the prime minister's office, where they set fire to chairs placed as an invitation for dialogue, according to ksevradio.com. The unrest has included attacks on government buildings, banks, and shops, as well as confrontations with police.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been in office since 2013 and recently won a fourth term, acknowledged the protesters' demands but rejected the idea that his resignation could be forced through violence, ksevradio.com noted.

Earlier on Sunday, Rama introduced fines of 500,000 lek ($6,188) for anyone participating in violent protests, even if they do not personally commit acts of violence, in an effort to curb the unrest, ksevradio.com added.

The protests follow months of largely peaceful demonstrations against a luxury coastal development project supported by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, marking the biggest challenge yet to Rama's government, ksevradio.com reported.