Gave this new version a try, same result as before - either I win before everything descends to chaos (endless rebellions + negative population numbers), or game becomes unwinabble.
Ideas: "Regime purge".: Make it so instead of rebellions going on forever, they reduce the population a bit and purge all characters who own districts as well as purchasing food so a new rebellion is not as likely to occur.
"Everybody on edge": If population is at 1000, a revolt does not happen (as that would effectively result in a depopulated city), but the unrest does as the idea name says and so agents are much more likely to be discovered. If they are found out, they are lynched, reducing unrest as the government uses them as escapegoats.
"Time for peace": After a new regime takes over, cut unrest in half, 2/3, or do away with it entirely.