Socialist Party of Albania

Albania's parliament is set to vote for a new president on Saturday, but no candidates' names are known or even rumoured, less than 24 hours ahead of the vote.

The Special Prosecution said on Tuesday that the mayor of the western city of Lushnja, Fatos Tushe, a member of the ruling Socialist Party, has been arrested alongside five other senior officials on graft charges.

They are accused of abuse of office and "violating the equality of participants in public tenders or auctions", the prosecution said.

Artur Metani, Albania's High Inspector of Justice, at parliament on January 20. Photo: Malton Dibra/LSA

Metani, 46, has had a career in state administration, including stints working for the cabinet of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.

He has also previously served as adviser to two presidents and is the brother of Socialist MP Eglantina Gjermeni.

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday axed seven of his 14 ministers after a year of popular protests against government policies.

Rama summoned the National Assembly of his governing Socialist Party in Tirana and insisted that the changes were "not the result of failures".

Albania's opposition Democratic Party on Monday followed up its week-long attack on Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj by claiming that his brother, Agron Xhafaj, who has a previous conviction in Italy for drug dealing, is still in the same business.

Albania's ruling Socialist Party has been criticised over a proposal that would oblige the prosecution to submit incriminating evidence to parliament before an MP can be stripped of immunity and arrested.

Critics say the change would undermine the rule of law and endow parliament with powers that should rest with only with the courts.

The ruling Socialist Party's parliamentary group officially asked on Monday for the dismissal of Central Election Commission, CEC chairman Klement Zguri, accusing him of not looking into whether to dismissal a mayor who was prosecuted in Italy in a theft case.

The Albanian government's plan to extend VAT to many of the country's small businesses has created confusion among business owners over the impact on their administrative costs and raised concerns about likely higher prices.

Opposition parties have slated the initiative, calling it a threat to the existence of many small businesses.

Albania commemorated the 70th anniversary of the execution of 15 Albanian MPs on Tuesday. The group had dared to obstruct former dictator Enver Hoxha's plans to install a communist regime in Albania after WWII.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Albania's new government Sunday. For the next four years, 13 ministers will aid him in running the country after his Socialist Party, PS, won an overwhelming majority in the June 25 elections.