Watch: Galdes meets Abela, 'does not know' whether he will contest the election
The candidacy of the former minister was rejected by the Labour Party's Executive
Former minister Roderick Galdes had a private meeting with the prime minister on Wednesday and said later that he did not know yet whether he would be an election candidate, despite the Labour Party Executive's decision not to accept his candidature.
Galdes resigned as housing minister in January following a series of Times of Malta investigations into property ownership.
The PL Executive's decision to exclude him from its candidates' list became known on Monday, just hours before Robert Abela announced the election date.
On Tuesday, Times of Malta reported that Galdes had officially complained against the decision, claiming that at least one person who voted against him in the executive was ineligible to vote.
Abela himself had words of praise for Galdes, saying on Tuesday that he still had a lot to give to the PL
“He still has a lot to give the party, and I know he will be working with us in this campaign, even if it is in a different role,” he said.
Questioned as he walked out of Castille after meeting Abela, Galdes said the meeting was confidential.
Asked whether he would be on the PL ballot come May 30 Galdes said:
"I still dont know. There is a decision by the executive and one must respect that decision".
Pressed on whether that meant he would not run as a candidate, he added:
"I respect the Executive, even if that does not mean I always agree with it. However, I assure you that from my side I will be discussing the matter".
Asked again whether he would contest Galdes said- "we will speak in the future".
On Tuesday Galdes shared footage of a campaign event held after the PL's ban was announced. In the clip, he was seen greeting attendees and addressing the crowd. He told Times of Malta that was a pre-planned event and he was not going to just let people hanging around if they planned to be there.