(ANSA-AFP) - TIRANA GALI, 25 APR - Albanians streamed into polling stations on Sunday for a parliamentary election, following a bitter campaign marred by a gunfight between rival supporters that drew international concern. Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama is seeking a third term but faces a challenge from a dozen parties united behind the main opposition Democrats, the candidates striking a conciliatory tone on election day after weeks of hurling insults at each other. The vote is seen as crucial to Albania's hopes of joining the European Union and all parties are promising the reforms demanded by the bloc, which agreed to open formal membership talks last year.

Opinion polls suggested the Socialists had a lead over their rivals but commentators said a high number of undecided voters made predictions tricky. (ANSA-AFP).