Tirana, May 22, SPA -- A close race for Albania's June28 parliamentary election began today with all parties underpressure from the West to hold a free and fair vote, according to Reuters. The centre-right ruling Democratic Party of Prime MinisterSali Berisha faces a strong challenge from the main oppositionSocialist Party of Edi Rama, who is also the Mayor of Tirana. The European Union and the United States have repeatedlywarned former communist Albania, which joined NATO and appliedto the European Union in April, that the elections must bedemocratic 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 electionsshowed the Democrats overtook the Socialists by two points afterthree 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 byyouthful supporters waving like U.S. cheerleaders. Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperationin 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, theOSCE's Albania head, said the coming vote would be key test. "I very much hope and expect that the political class, aswell as those assisting in its administration will ensure thatthese elections are the best ever this country has ever had sothat Albania can really move 'five steps' forward," Bosch said. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/666968