Voters turned out Sunday (November 15th) in five municipalities to choose new mayors, replacing those who left for higher office following the June parliamentary elections.

The Central Election Commission announced on Monday that the ruling Democratic Party swept majorities in all five municipalities. Turnout was around 30%.

The opposition Socialist Party boycotted these elections and refuses to participate in politics in general unless the government investigates alleged manipulations in the June elections. Observers say Sunday's vote was peaceful and fair

Mayors and senior municipal officials in the opposition Socialist Party (SP) protested outside Prime Minister Sali Berisha's office , citing government threats to reduce the authority of local leaders.

SP leader Edi Rama, who is also the mayor of Tirana, slammed Berisha for "systematically striking" local leaders by interfering with their competencies.

He invited all Albanians to sign a petition urging Berisha to stop his "anti-democratic, anti-constitutional and anti-legal policies". Rama also announced a series of conditions the government must meet by December 5th, or face more radical protests.