EU test
May 8, 2011
Albania has been calm on Sunday, May 8, as voters head to the polls in the first official political confrontation between the ruling right and the opposition since undecided elections in 2009.
"This year there is more [interesting] than the other years but there is less tension, even less tension between the different election commission members (of opposing parties)," said Luljana Konomi, the ruling Democratic Party's observer for the vote in Tirana.
The relative calm among voters at polling stations in the capital belies a fierce rivalry between the government and opposition that turned deadly in January and saw protests break out in the run-up to the election.
Four people were killed in the January Tirana protests when anti-government demonstrators clashed with security forces.
The opposition Socialists have refused to accept the result of the 2009 election that gave Prime Minister Sali Berisha a second four-year term. Sunday's vote is the first test of support for Berisha's government since the election.
EU significance
The significance of the vote extends beyond the borders of Albania, however, as it is being seen as a significant test for the Balkan nation's bid to join the European Union. Some 5,000 observers - both local and international - were said to be present in the 383 districts.
Brussels rejected Albania's application to become a candidate for membership last November and has made it clear that the vote must be free and fair if the NATO-member wants also to be considered for EU-candidate status by the end of 2011.
The EU has also told Albania's feuding political parties they must negotiate to end the row over the 2009 election that is holding up legislation in parliament.
An EU team will visit Albania in late May.
The opposition Socialist Party, led by Tirana Mayor Edi Rama, is appealing to voters to use Sunday's ballot to express discontent with the national government that it calls corrupt and incompetent.
Police have deployed about 7,000 officers at the country's nearly 5,000 polling stations, reinforcing their presence in the Tirana neighborhoods where violence broke out before the election.
Polling stations close at 7:00 pm local time, with initial partial results expected later on Sunday.
Author: Gabriel Borrud (dpa, Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Kyle James