Galdes blocked from contesting election by Labour executive

The Labour Party executive has rejected Roderick Galdes' candidature for the upcoming general election.

MaltaToday is informed a public resulted in a tie, but a subsequent secret vote resulted in clear majority against him contesting.   

During the meeting other candidates were approved including PL president and MP Ramona Attard. 

The former housing minister was prevented from running in the May 30 general election after a secret vote by the PL's 35-member executive on Monday evening. Most members of the executive rejected his nomination.

His 13-year career in Maltese politics came to an abrupt end in January, when he resigned after dominating headlines as scrutiny on his massive property portfolio and unbelievably favourable deals with some of Malta's biggest developers came to light.

Despite his resignation, Galdes was seen actively campaigning recently, as evidenced by social media posts showing him meeting constituents and promoting Labour's May Day celebrations on Friday.

The development follows a day after former Labour minister Clayton Bartolo declared he will not run in the next general election, citing concerns about a potential smear campaign targeting him and his wife.

Prime Minister Robert Abela on Monday announced that Malta will head to the polls for the 2026 general election, setting the stage for a campaign that is already taking shape across the islands.