Albania’s Leftist Majority Ahead In Local Elections

Preliminary results in Albania's local elections show the country's leftist majority is ahead in most municipalities, including the capital, Tirana.

Albanians voted on June 21 to elect mayors and councilors in 61 municipalities.

More than half the ballots have been counted so far. 

Turnout was about 48 percent.

International observers said voters were offered a "distinct choice from among a range of candidates and fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly were generally respected."

But they added that the politicization of institutions involved in the elections "undermined the effective administration of the process."

They also pointed out "many cases of group voting and some procedural irregularities."

The elections were seen as a test of the Balkan country's fragile democracy as it pushes to join the European Union.

Albania obtained EU candidate status nearly a year ago, and is now expecting to get approval for the launch of full membership negotiations.