Polls give lead to Democrats

TIRANA, June 28 – The ruling party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha appeared to have a narrow lead in the votes cast on Sunday in the Balkan nation of Albania.
Projections spell a win for Democratic Party.
Early exit polls are indicating that Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party has won another term in office in parliamentary elections Sunday.
Three exit polls _ conducted by Kosovo-based Gani Bobi, American Zogby International and Italy’s IPR Marketing _ give Berisha the edge in forming a government. Official results are expected Monday.
According to Gani Bobi, Berisha’s right-wing party won 47.5 percent of the vote, with his Socialist rival, Edi Rama, trailing with 38.8 percent and former Prime Minister Ilir Meta winning 6.5 percent.
U.S.-based Zogby International also gave Berisha the lead in its exit poll, although it appeared to be two seats short of the 71 needed to form a majority government in the 140-seat parliament. IPR Marketing gave Berisha a lead of 4 percentage points over Rama.
The American Zogby International polling agency projected that Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his Democratic Party would win 69 seats, short of the 71 needed for a majority, compared to 55 for the Socialists led by Edi Rama, mayor of the capital Tirana.
Similar predictions were made by the exit polls of the Kosovo-based Gani Bobi Institute and the Italian-based IPR Marketing.
The exit poll conducted Sunday by the Kosovo-based Gani Bobi showed Berisha almost 9 percent ahead of his Socialist rival, Edi Rama, giving Berisha the edge in forming a government. Official results were expected Monday.
According to the poll – conducted in 12 districts and broadcast by TV Klan – Berisha’s right-wing party won 47.5 percent of the vote, with Rama trailing with 38.8 percent and former Prime Minister Ilir Meta winning 6.5 percent.
Another independent exit poll conducted by Italy-based IPR Marketing gave Berisha a 4 percent lead over Rama.