Five prosecutors are competing to become Albania's next Prosecutor General, a position that carries a seven-year mandate.

The race will be decided not only by the candidates' professional experience, the criminal cases they have handled and their academic credentials, but also by the support they secure from the High Prosecutorial Council before the final appointment is put to a vote in Parliament.

According to unofficial information from the High Prosecutorial Council, the candidates include former Acting Prosecutor General Arta Marku, Eurojust prosecutor Fatjona Memçaj, who is serving her second term at the agency, Tirana prosecutor Rovena Zoto, SPAK prosecutor Adnan Xholi, School of Magistrates lecturer Ylli Pjetërnikaj, and prosecutor Kreshnik Ajazi.

A sixth contender, the Chief Prosecutor of Elbasan, submitted his application on the morning of the deadline but withdrew from the race later the same day.

The High Prosecutorial Council has 45 days from the close of the application process on August 1 to verify the candidates' documentation. By August 12, it must forward the required information to Albania's High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interest (ILDKPKI) for asset verification.

The vetting and verification procedures are expected to be completed within this period.

The candidates are expected to appear before the Council for hearings in November, with Albania expected to appoint its new Prosecutor General in December.