Exit polls see Albania's ruling Democrats winning

By Adam Tanner

TIRANA (Reuters) - Albania's ruling Democrats appeared poised for victory on Sunday, according to exit polls, in an election the government, opposition and international observers said was fair.

The American Zogby International agency projected that Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his Democratic Party will gain 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.

The West sees the ballot as a test of Albania's readiness for integration with Europe.

Ruled for four decades until 1985 by Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha, the Balkan country has emerged from long isolation, becoming a NATO member in April and applying the same month to join the European Union.

"The elections proceeded better than any other election we ever had," Berisha, 64, the dominant post-communist leader, said shortly after voting ended. "There have been a few small problems, but no major ones."

Rama, 44, gave a cautious thumbs-up to the ballot.

"Despite a series of irregularities and unpleasing details in various parts of the territory of Albania, in general the objective of guaranteeing the process was realized," he told a news conference. "I agree with Mr Berisha that there are no losers in this elections because European Albania has won."

Both candidates favour European integration, more market reforms, improved infrastructure and modernizing Albania's agriculture. Rama has said he would turn to the IMF for economic help at a time international economists say the economy is stagnating, and Berisha has publicly been more cautious.