This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6372887.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Western eyes on Albanian polls Western eyes on Albanian polls
(about 10 hours later)
Albanians are voting to elect municipal councils in polls that are being closely watched by the European Union and the United States. Albanians have been voting to elect municipal councils in polls that are being closely watched by the European Union and the United States.
The polls are being seen as an indication of Albania's progress towards democracy and possible future integration with the EU and Nato.The polls are being seen as an indication of Albania's progress towards democracy and possible future integration with the EU and Nato.
They have been postponed once, amid allegations of corruption and threats of an opposition boycott.They have been postponed once, amid allegations of corruption and threats of an opposition boycott.
The economy is deeply troubled, causing a third of Albanians to emigrate.The economy is deeply troubled, causing a third of Albanians to emigrate.
Street protests The count will be monitored by hundreds of observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The voting and the count will be monitored by hundreds of observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The Tirana mayor - ready for national government?The BBC's Nicholas Walton says a lot is at stake in this small, ex-communist country in the Balkans.
The Tirana mayor - ready for national government?
The BBC's Nicholas Walton says that a lot is at stake in this small, ex-communist country in the Balkans.
Street protests against the hardships of every day life, such as corruption, unemployment and electricity shortages, are common.Street protests against the hardships of every day life, such as corruption, unemployment and electricity shortages, are common.
Our correspondent says that, with widespread dissatisfaction at current politicians, the polls are being seen as a test of a new generation of politicians.Our correspondent says that, with widespread dissatisfaction at current politicians, the polls are being seen as a test of a new generation of politicians.
The most notable of these is Edi Rama, the mayor of the capital, Tirana.The most notable of these is Edi Rama, the mayor of the capital, Tirana.
Before becoming mayor he was an artist; since taking office he has adopted a number of high profile initiatives, including painting many of Tirana's drab apartment blocks in bright colours.Before becoming mayor he was an artist; since taking office he has adopted a number of high profile initiatives, including painting many of Tirana's drab apartment blocks in bright colours.
The vote in Tirana is considered a test of his ambitions for national government. He is up against another high profile candidate, Sokol Olldashi, who until recently was the interior minister for the ruling party.The vote in Tirana is considered a test of his ambitions for national government. He is up against another high profile candidate, Sokol Olldashi, who until recently was the interior minister for the ruling party.