Party of Macedonia PM sees sure election win

SKOPJE (Reuters) - The party of Macedonia Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski predicted victory in Sunday's parliamentary election, a vote marred by alleged fraud and shootings that killed one person and wounded nine others.

Gruevski's VMRO-DPMNE party said the 22 percent of votes counted so far showed it on course for a sure victory, possibly even an absolute majority in parliament.

Gruevski's immediate task will be to calm tensions among the rival Albanian parties and repair the damage done to the image of the country, which is trying to convince the European Union it is mature and democratic enough to start talks on membership.

(Reporting by Kole Casule; Writing by Ellie Tzortzi)