Albanians voted Sunday to decide whether to give Prime Minister Edi Rama a fourth term or side with his longtime rival in a election that is seen as crucial to the country’s European Union membership ambitions.

A total of 3.7 million voters, 140 seats at stake and some forty parties took part in these proportional elections, which were dominated by a showdown between three-time prime minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama and far-right opposition leader Sali Berisha.

Their election campaign focused mainly on economic issues such as pensions, wages, infrastructure and tourism. But there were also strong debates on the fight against corruption and organised crime, which are considered key conditions for Albania’s EU membership.

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) estimated the turnout at 41.17 percent and CEC chairman Ilirian Celibasi said: “The elections were generally conducted in accordance with the required rules and standards.”

Briefing reporters in Tirana shortly after polling stations closed at 7:00 p.m. (17:00 GMT), he said the first results are expected on Tuesday.

Berisha was already expressing “optimism” on Sunday night, telling reporters: “These are the last hours of Edi Rama’s rule.”

Rama’s Socialist Party called on all those involved in counting the votes to “maintain their composure” and “avoid provocations” and “bring victory from the polls, where the sovereign people have already sealed their historic decision.”

Exit polls show Rama victory – Berisha disputes them

Rama, leader of the Socialist Party (PS) that has been in power since 2013, was the favourite from the start.

The poll outside the polls showed the PS leading with 51.8 percent and former prime minister Sali Berisha’s PD following with 38 percent. Based on these results, the two parties elect respectively 79 (so PS is independent in the 140-seat parliament) and 54 MPs. The other parties gain 1-3 seats each.

Specifically, the Albania Post published a national exit poll a few minutes after polling stations closed, which showed Edti Rama’s Socialist Party (PS) Edti Rama securing 79 seats in the new parliament, five more than in the previous election four years ago.

The Democratic Party (PD) of Sali Berisha follows with 54 seats, winning 38% of the national vote.

The Social Democratic Union of Tom Dossi appears to hold 3 seats – two in the Skodra region and one in Tirana – garnering 2.2% of the vote.

The Mundësia party of Agron Shehay, despite garnering 3.6% of the vote, secures only 2 seats due to its scattered distribution of votes and concentration only in the Tirana constituency.

Lëvizja Bashkë of Arlid Chori receives one seat in the Tirana constituency, however Chori himself does not seem to succeed in getting elected personally.

One seat also appears to be taken by Lulzim Basa in Tirana, while Adriatic Lapai and his coalition do not secure any seats, according to the exit poll.

Former prime minister and leader of the Albanian Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, questioned the validity of the exit polls presented by analyst Baton Stanisic, claiming that no official exit polls have been conducted.

In a press conference held a short time after the first exit polls, Berisha accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of using this polling company to manipulate public opinion, as, these are Rama’s last hours in power.

Berisha stressed that the opposition will not recognize results based on unverified sources and urged citizens to remain vigilant to protect the democratic process.

194,889 Albanians abroad voted by absentee ballot

The latest update from the Central Election Commission reported a 79.24 percent turnout for registered diaspora voters taking part by absentee ballot, according to himara.gr.

In the countries with the most Albanian citizens registered to vote by postal vote, Italy ranked first with 72,800 envelopes, followed by Greece with 52,942 and Germany with 20,318.

According to the CEC, 194,889 envelopes have arrived in Albania, out of a total of 245,935 registered voters.

The district with the highest number of incoming envelopes is Tirana, with a turnout of 80.84%, followed by Fieri and Durres, with similar percentages.

Here are the participation rates of the Albanian diaspora by region:

BERATI: 77.68% (12,348 envelopes)
DIBPA: 77.99% (7,495 envelopes)
DURRACHIO: 80.36% (20,101 envelopes)
ELBASAN: 77,80% (19.602 files)
FIERI: 80,50% (26.204 envelopes)
SILVER: 77,99% (6.618 envelopes)
KORYTSA: 78,65% (16.228 envelopes)
KUKESI: 72,87% (2.896 envelopes)
LEZIA: 80,22% (11.835 files)
SKODRA: 77,49% (13.523 files)
TIRANA: 80,84% (42.384 files)
Aylon: 78,50% (15.655 envelopes)

Rama vs. Berisha

Rama, 60, has led the Socialist Party since 2005 and is seeking a fourth consecutive term as prime minister.

A former student leader who opposed the communist regime, he served as mayor of Tirana and culture minister before taking office in 2013

His key commitment is to secure EU membership by 2030.

His opponents regularly accuse him of links to organised crime, a charge he has rejected, saying he will “withdraw from political life if anyone proves links to corruption or criminal groups.”

He is opposed by 80-year-old right-wing Berisha, Albania’s first post-communist president.

The Democratic Party of Albania, which he holds, has joined with about 20 other parties in hopes of removing Rama from office.

Echoing U.S. President Donald Trump, Berisha has promised a “great Albania” focused on economic recovery. His campaign is being advised by Republican U.S. Senator Chris LaSivita.

But he has been declared a “person of no interest” by the United States and Britain for his alleged links to organised crime and corruption.

Berisha is also under judicial investigation in Albania for “passive corruption by a high-ranking official.”