Calls for investigations into Housing Minister Roderick Galdes continue to mount as another property deal he was involved in was revealed.

Last month it was reported that Galdes purchased a penthouse and garage in Victoria, Gozo for a price of just €140,000. The Minister defended this acquisition, saying that he had "reserved" this price from its 2021 pre-construction phase. The contract for this property was signed this year.

It has now been reported by the Times of Malta that the Housing Minister had also bartered a flat in Xagħra in return for a plot of land in Għarb from the same real estate company as his Victoria penthouse - Excel Investments Ltd. Excel Investments is a company owned by development giants Joseph Portelli, Mark Agius, and Daniel Refalo. It reported a spokesperson for Excel as saying that the barter deal was the minister's idea, and that to make up for the difference in the value of the €100,000 plot and the minister's €135,000 apartment, it carried out works on the site for Galdes. 

Repubblika on Sunday said that the police and prosecutors need to investigate independently, without fear or favour.

The NGO has stated that amidst this most recent finding against Minister Galdes, his case "needs to be investigated."

Repubblika said that as Minister for Housing, Roderick Galdes "holds a position of great responsibility and influence in a sector dominated by large commercial interests" and that through this role, he is entrusted with a "privileged relationship with developers and speculators" that must be exercised in the public interest, particularly for those who cannot afford a decent place to live.

"The information that has been revealed suggests that this privileged position has instead been used for the Minister's personal benefit. If confirmed, this is a serious breach of public trust."

The NGO continued that this case not only demonstrates political failure from Galdes' end, but also from the government itself. Repubblika noted how the government "dismantled" a tool of transparency by removing ministers' obligation to declare assets in the name of their spouses, before then advancing to "completely" conceal their declarations. Such decisions have made it easier for ministers to "fatten their pockets" while serving in government while making it more difficult to be held accountable by the people, it continued.

Repubblika declared that Minister Galdes has not conformed to standards expected of someone in a public office and that "facts show that there is more than sufficient basis for a full investigation into his conduct and the conduct of the developers who appear to have negotiated with him for their mutual private advantage and to the detriment of the public interest."

Repubblika concluded by reiterating its long-standing proposals for reforms to strengthen Malta's capacity to prevent, detect and punish corruption. These proposals include restoring full transparency in asset declarations, bolstering conflict of interest rules, and guaranteeing independence and effectiveness of law enforcement and prosecution forces.

In a statement published by the Nationalist Party later on Sunday morning, the party in Opposition has also continued putting pressure, after having days ago called for the minister's removal.

"While Galdes continues to prosper, our children and families struggle every day to afford their first home," the PN stated, "The two properties reported on by the media in recent days are just two from a much longer list of properties acquired by Galdes over the past years, including properties in Sicily and in the UK."

The Nationalist Party said that as "Roderick Galdes' web of controversies" continues to unravel, government MPs have grown "furious" with Prime Minister Robert Abela for continuing to stick his neck out for him.

"This latest revelation has caused a stir within the Labour Parliamentary Group, with many MPs now expecting Robert Abela to put a stop to Roderick Galdes before he inflicts even more damage than he has already caused to the Labour Government," the PN stated on Sunday morning.

The PN said that the only thing better than one good deal is two good deals, as said it has been revealed that Minister Galdes was the benefactor of two "remarkably favourable" property deals.

The PN concluded its statement by saying that "everyone knows their responsibilities and to whom they have sworn loyalty" before questioning: "To whom has Robert Abela sworn his?"

A criminal complaint had been filed by former Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi last week with the police commissioner regarding the minister's property deals, and Azzopardi said he expects the Commissioner to request a magisterial inquiry.

Minister Galdes declared on Sunday that the claims being made against him are another series of "baseless political attacks" by the ex PN MP.

Minister Galdes declared that "as he did during the festive season last year, Jason Azzopardi has decided to attack another Labour Minister. This time, it was my turn and my family's."

He said that "baseless political accusations as we have seen in the past against my colleagues, ended up being declared false. The same will happen in this case."

Minister Galdes said that he will not give up and will remain determined to continue working with a sense of responsibility towards the people. He said that these "attacks and intimidation attempts" will not stop him, but rather will give him strength "to continue making a difference in people's lives."

In a statement on social media, former Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi declared that Housing Minister Roderick Galdes has still not given any explanation on how he has acquired his "real estate empire" in less than five years on just his ministerial salary.

In addition, Azzopardi said that the Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation has also remained silent on what was revealed about him in recent weeks.

A criminal complaint had been filed by Azzopardi last week with the police commissioner regarding the minister's property deals, and Azzopardi said he expects the Commissioner to request a magisterial inquiry.

"It is immoral and desperate to excuse yourself with family and say this is a personal attack, exactly like how the corrupt Konrad Mizzi had done when he too was caught," Jason Azzopardi wrote on Sunday.

Azzopardi posed 14 questions to the Housing Minister, including whether he denies having purchased a chalet, in cash, in Forna di Supre, Udine - in a skiing resort near the Italian Dolomites, and estimations made about the block.

He maintained that Galdes' constituents have the right to expect State servants to serve it, and not be served by it, telling him to answer to them. Azzopardi said that Galdes must respond to the rest of the Cabinet, to those in the Labour Party's parliamentary group, as well as to the thousands of poor people who have been stuck in the waiting list for social housing and to the homeless and roofless people across the Maltese islands.

Azzopardi said that Galdes has betrayed the very people who have entrusted him, including his colleagues within the Cabinet and the PL parliamentary group.