Polls close in close Albanian PM election

TIRANA, Albania, June 28 (UPI) -- The polls closed in Albania Sunday after general elections that European political analysts predicted would include a close race for prime minister.

A spokesman for the European Union observers monitoring the voting told the BBC that the process went fairly smoothly with fewer reports of voting irregularities than in past elections.

There was no immediate word on the outcome of the vote for prime minister. Polls have forecast a tight contest between Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Socialist challenger Edi Rama.

Both candidates have pledged to improve Albania's economy, which the BBC said has not been hit as hard by the recession as other European nations, and continue Albania on track to European Union integration.