A close race for Albania's June 28 parliamentary election began today with all parties under pressure from the West to hold a free and fair vote, according to Reuters. The centre-right ruling Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha faces a strong challenge from the main opposition Socialist Party of Edi Rama, who is also the Mayor of Tirana. The European Union and the United States have repeatedly warned former communist Albania, which joined NATO and applied to the European Union in April, that the elections must be democratic for it to have any chance of EU membership. Socialists and Democrats alike are keen to join the EU. A poll by Zogby International six weeks before the elections showed the Democrats overtook the Socialists by two points after three months behind, but the leftist coalition had more votes. Both sides have had campaign posters displayed for a while, but their leaders launched public meetings on Friday, backed by youthful supporters waving like U.S. cheerleaders. Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have not declared any Albanian poll up to international standards since a controversial election in 1996. There have been improvments then but Robert Bosch, the OSCE's Albania head, said the coming vote would be key test. "I very much hope and expect that the political class, as well as those assisting in its administration will ensure that these elections are the best ever this country has ever had so that Albania can really move 'five steps' forward," Bosch said.
