Roderick Galdes barred from contesting election by PL executive
In a secret vote, PL members strike down nomination of former minister
The Labour Party executive arm has turned down the candidature of Roderick Galdes for the upcoming general election, Times of Malta is informed.
The former Housing Minister was barred from contesting the May 30 general election following a secret ballot by the PL's 35-member executive on Monday evening.
According to sources, the majority of the executive members rejected his nomination to contest the election.
Galdes did not respond to requests for comment from Times of Malta.
Galdes's 13-year career in the upper echelons of Maltese politics was brought to an abrupt end in January, amid mounting scrutiny over his personal and political dealings.
The resignation came following a series of Times of Malta stories linking him to contractors.
The minister resigned on the eve of a story in The Sunday Times of Malta, citing "synchronised attacks" to ruin his political career, as well as personal attacks on his family.
Galdes was actively campaigning in recent weeks, with social media posts showing him meeting constituents and promoting Labour's May Day celebrations on Friday.
The development comes a day after former Labour minister Clayton Bartolo announced he will not contest the next general election, blaming a future smear campaign against him and his wife.