Albanian President Convenes New Parliament on Sept 7

A right-wing coalition led by the governing Democrats of Prime Minister Sali Berisha won the country's June 28 general election with 46.92% of the vote that gave it 70 of the 140 seats in parliament.

The main rival of the right-wing coalition - the Socalists-led coalition of Tirana Mayor Edi Rama - won 45.45% of the vote and 66 seats.

A six-party coalition, led by the Socialist Integration Movement of former premier Ilir Meta, won 5.52% of the vote and four seats in parliament.

The parliament has a four-year term.

The elections were seen as a key test for European Union-aspiring Albania's capability to implement European Union standards. Since 1996, international monitors have said Albanian elections do not meet international standards despite some progress made. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which monitored the elections, assessed the voting process slightly more positively than in previous elections, but noted procedural violations related in particular to inking procedures and widespread family voting.