Protests resume in Tirana after Albania announces tougher penalties

Fresh protests took place in Albania’s capital, Tirana, on Sunday, with demonstrators calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign just hours after he announced tougher penalties linked to anti-government demonstrations.

Under the measures, anyone taking part in a protest that turns violent could be fined 500,000 lek (more than €5,500), even if they did not personally commit an act of violence, ANP and Reuters reported.

The crowd marched from the Education Ministry to Rama’s office, where protesters set fire to chairs the prime minister had placed outside as an invitation to dialogue with the government.

The protests are led by students and have been fuelled by anger over alleged government corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards. Demonstrations have also taken place in other cities. Protesters have set fire to government buildings and banks, smashed windows and clashed with police, according to the report.

Rama has been in power since 2013 and was elected to a fourth term last year.