Social Democrats declare Macedonian poll a success

Macedonia's Social Democrats declared Sunday's landmark municipal elections a success, despite a shock party performance in the capital, Skopje, and some apparent voting irregularities.

The mayoral vote, monitored by international observers, is considered an important test of reforms drawn up following a cease-fire agreement to end a 2001 insurgency by rebels from Macedonia's ethnic Albanian minority.

Macedonia, a landlocked nation of 2.1 million people the size of Sicily, is vying for membership in NATO and eventual membership in the EU.

In Skopje, government-backed incumbent Risto Penov could face outright defeat by businessman challenger Trifun Kostovski. With a third of ballots counted, Kostovski had 48 percent of the vote against Penov's 34.

But the ruling party appeared relieved that violence in ethnically-tense areas had been largely avoided.

"We're satisfied with the way the election went," said Boris Kondarko, Social Democrat spokesman. "Irregularities were minor and had no impact on the process, which was free, fair and peaceful."

The state election commission said voter turnout nationwide -- a key concern before the ballot -- was about 55 percent.

Three stations were closed -- out of nearly 3,000 nationwide -- following scuffles between rival ethnic Albanian parties in northern and western parts of the country. One man was slightly injured, police said.