Albanians voted Sunday to decide whether to give Prime Minister Edi Rama a fourth term or side with his longstanding rival in an election seen as crucial for the country's European Union ambitions.
A total of 3.7 million voters, 140 seats at stake, and around forty parties contested in this proportional election, which was dominated by the contest between Edi Rama, a socialist, and Sali Berisha from the right-wing Democratic Party.
They campaigned mainly on economic issues such as pensions, wages, infrastructure and tourism. But there were bitter exchanges too on the fight against corruption and organised crime, seen as essential requirements for Albania's EU bid.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) put the turnout at 41.17 percent, and CEC chief Ilirjan Celibashi said: "The election was generally conducted in line with the required norms and standards."
Briefing journalists in Tirana shortly after polling stations closed at 7:00 pm (1700 GMT), he said the first results were expected on Tuesday.
Read moreSerb majority in N. Kosovo boycotts vote on removing ethnic Albanian mayors
"We must remain calm and patient during the transparent, closely monitored vote count," he added.
Berisha however was already expressing "optimism" on Sunday evening, telling journalists: "These are the final hours of Edi Rama's power."
Rama's Socialist Party called for everyone involved in the vote count to "keep calm" and "avoid provocations" and to "bring victory out of the ballot boxes, where the sovereign people have already sealed their historic decision".
Tightly Monitored
To prevent fraud, dark blue indelible ink was applied to voters' thumbnails, and more than 2,000 foreign and local observers were deployed.
Since the fall of communism in the early 1990s, election results have routinely been contested by the losing side, often leading to fraud allegations.
The international community closely monitors this election as a test of Albania"s fragile institutions.
"Five cases of electoral crimes were reported to Special Prosecutor's Office Against Crime and Corruption," said CEC chief Celibashi.
The international community views the election as a test of the Balkan nation's fragile institutions following the bitter campaign between Rama and fellow political veteran Sali Berisha.
This election faced an added challenge, with postal voting having been introduced to take account of the foreign diaspora.
According to estimates from CEC, out of nearly 246,000 Albanians living abroad who were registered to vote, approximately 192,000 ballots had already been received.
Anisa Bega, 25, was among the first in Tirana to cast her vote at 7:00 AM (05:00 GMT), filled with hope for a "better and safer future."
Voters were choosing between different political parties and three coalitions, in a proportional vote following a campaign dominated by the rivalry between Rama and Berisha.
Rama v Berisha
Rama, 60, has led the Socialist Party since 2005 and is seeking a fourth straight term as prime minister.
A former student leader opposed to the communist regime, he served as mayor of Tirana and minister of culture before taking office in 2013.
His key pledge is to secure EU membership by 2030.
His opponents regularly accuse him of ties to organised crime, a charge he has dismissed, declaring he would "withdraw from political life if anyone proves links to corruption or criminal groups".
Against him stands the 80-year-old right winger Berisha, Albania's first post-communist president.
His Democratic Party of Albania has joined with around 20 other parties, hoping to remove Rama from office.
Read moreN. Macedonia's nationalist opposition sweeps elections, setting rocky path for EU accession
Echoing US President Donald Trump, Berisha has promised a "great Albania" centred on economic recovery. His campaign is being advised by the US Republican consultant Chris LaCivita.
But he has been declared "persona non grata" by the United States and Britain for his alleged ties to organised crime and corruption.
Berisha is also under judicial investigation in Albania for "passive corruption by a high-ranking official".
Organised Crime
And in another change in this election is that civil servants and public justice agents have joined the Central Election Commission for the first time.
The Albanian judiciary has also been active during the campaign, launching several investigations that could affect the results.
The Special Prosecutor's Office Against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) revealed that 33 former high-ranking officials, including former ministers, MPs, and local officials, were under investigation in 2024.
The battle against organised crime and corruption is a key requirement for Albania's EU integration.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)