FC Barcelona Presidential Election Process Officially Begins as Laporta Steps Down

FC Barcelona officially launched its presidential election process on Monday, February 9, with the club's Board of Directors publishing the formal call for elections and current president Joan Laporta resigning from his position along with a significant number of board members at the General Assembly. The move marks the beginning of a crucial period for the Catalan giants as they prepare to elect their next leader. Laporta, who has served as Barcelona president since 2021, announced that the presidential election will take place on March 15, 2026. As per club statutes, his resignation on Monday was a necessary procedural step to initiate the electoral process. The timing comes at a pivotal moment for the club, which has been navigating financial challenges while maintaining competitive ambitions both domestically and in European competition. The electoral calendar includes several key dates that will shape the coming weeks. The public draw to select members of the Electoral Board and Electoral Committee will occur before February 12, with the formal constitution of these bodies scheduled for February 13 or 14. Starting February 15, candidates may begin submitting requests for endorsement ballots, a crucial step in the candidacy process. To officially stand for election, candidates must gather signatures from at least 2,321 socios (club members) to demonstrate sufficient support for their candidacy. From February 15 to 19, the electoral roll will be displayed publicly, followed by a period from February 20 to 22 for resolving any challenges to the roll and securing final approval. This rigorous process ensures that only candidates with genuine backing from the membership can compete. Laporta is expected to seek re-election and will face strong opposition from Victor Font, the entrepreneur and technology executive who finished second in the previous presidential election. Font represents the main reformist option and has been preparing his campaign for months. The race is expected to be highly competitive, with both candidates offering different visions for the club's future. In other club news emerging on Monday, reports revealed that Barcelona has received an offer from an unnamed club for young midfielder Marc Bernal, though the club is not expected to entertain any departure for the promising talent. Laporta reflected on his term ahead of the elections, stating that the board "had to act boldly and quickly" in navigating the financial and sporting challenges that have defined his tenure, including the departures and returns of key players and the ongoing stadium renovation project.