(TIRANA) - Albania's parliament on Wednesday passed a new electoral law seen as a key condition set by the European Union for the country's integration with the bloc.

The bill, which introduces a proportional electoral system, was contested by small opposition parties whose deputies ended a week-long hunger strike over the issue on Tuesday.

The minor parties led by former prime minister Ilir Meta complain the law favours the two biggest parties because electoral commissions will be controlled by bigger rivals as part of the changes.

Convinced the new system will be used to rig parliamentary elections scheduled for next year, Meta is organising nationwide protests against the legislation.

But the ruling Democratic Party argues the bill will put an end to contested elections in Albania.

"The new election law ensures a free and fair electoral system," Ilir Rusmaili, a Democrat deputy, told parliament where the legislation was backed by 112 out of 140 lawmakers.

Since the fall of communism in the early 1990s, the results of all elections in Albania have been contested.

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