Polls opened in Macedonia Sunday for snap elections that many hope will speed up reforms necessary for membership in the European Union.

About 1.8 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots to elect deputies for the 123-seat parliament, which will have a four-year mandate.

The main contenders are the ruling 24-party coalition led by conservative Prime Minister Nicola Gruevski, and the leftist SDSM of Branko Crvenkovski.

The latest surveys gave Mr. Gruevski's coalition the lead, but many believe it will fall short of winning an outright majority.

Voting will be monitored by around 3,500 local and 330 international observers. Early results are expected Monday.