Preliminary results in Albania’s parliamentary elections give a clear victory to the ruling Socialist Party which attracted voters supporting the country’s uphill effort to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s bid for a fourth term.

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama was on course for an unprecedented fourth term in office on Monday as partial results showed his Socialist Party with a commanding lead in Sunday's parliamentary election.

Albania's ruling Socialists, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, appear to have secured a clear win. While Rama has promised EU membership in five years, the opposition has questioned whether the country is ready.