Albania plans new legal measures as student protests continue

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans Sunday for new legal measures targeting protests as demonstrations by university students demanding improved education conditions continued in the capital Tirana.

The protests, which began on Oct. 13, entered their 13th day, drawing support from high school students, citizens, faculty members from several universities and various trade unions. Some demonstrations turned violent.

Protesters marched through streets and squares across the capital, first gathering outside the Education Ministry, where they threw stones at the building. They later moved to the prime minister's office, where tensions escalated between demonstrators and security forces.

Protesters threw stones at police and public institutions while officers responded with tear gas. Some demonstrators were injured during clashes in which Molotov cocktails were occasionally used.

Rama reiterated his calls for dialogue, as he had in previous days, but protesters rejected the appeals. Students said they would continue their demonstrations.

Rama said the current law governing demonstrations dates back to 2001 and contains no provisions addressing digital technology tools, which have become a fundamental part of protests today.

The proposed legislative package includes compensation for businesses affected by demonstrations, fines for participants in violent protests, measures to address calls for violence on social media and amendments to the Criminal Code.

The planned regulations would introduce fines for organizing unauthorized demonstrations, failing to comply with orders to disperse, wearing masks during protests and obstructing traffic.

The package also aims to require the removal of social media posts calling for violence and initiate legal proceedings against those responsible.