Berisha officially declared election winner

Opposition leader Sali Berisha’s coalition was officially declared winner of Albania’s July 3 parliamentary elections today, following weeks of delays in confirming final results.

Berisha’s Democratic Party and its allies will return to power after eight years of Socialist government, controlling 80 seats in the new 140-member parliament.

The poll was seen as a key test for this country of 3.2 million people – still recovering from decades of harsh communist rule – as it pushes for Nato membership and closer ties with the European Union.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which monitored the election, had said the poll marked an improvement but still fell short of international standards.

“This is the end of the election process,” said Ilirian Celibashi, head of the Albanian Central Election Commission. “The new parliament can now be convened.”

He added: “I believe the elections were free and generally fair, in accordance with international legal requirements and standards,”

Final results were delayed by more than 300 challenges to local results made to the Central Election Commission.

The Socialists, led by outgoing Prime Minister Fatos Nano, only conceded defeat last week, seven weeks after the elections. Nano is facing calls from within his party to step down as party leader.

Berisha, a 60-year-old cardiologist, served as Albania’s president from 1992 to 1997, the country’s first elected post-communist president. He was forced to resign following the collapse of investment schemes that plunged the country into anarchy.

He will be the new prime minister and he has said he will fight widespread corruption and poverty, and integrate the country into international institutions. He is banned by the constitution from running for president again.