Real Madrid start presidential election process

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Real Madrid officially started their electoral process on Thursday, after president Florentino Perez announced his decision to call elections, in which he will stand.

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There is a 10-day window, until May 23, for the submission of candidacies, Madrid said in a statement.

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Among the requirements to be a candidate are having been a club member for 20 years and providing a guarantee of 187 million euros ($219m), equivalent to 15 percent of the club’s annual budget, which must be backed by personal assets.

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Perez, who was re-elected unopposed in January 2025 for a four-year term, announced at a press conference on Tuesday that he will run again.

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Spanish media report Enrique Riquelme, the president of the water and energy group Cox, is considering entering the race.

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In a letter published by several outlets in Spain, the renewable energy businessman asked Perez for more time to potentially prepare a candidacy.

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“When I ran in the 2000 elections I didn’t ask for more time; I ran and I won,” said Perez in an interview on television channel La Sexta on Wednesday.

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If multiple candidates stand the electoral board will announce the date and place of the elections in due course.

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If no one else comes forward, Perez, 79, would retain his post, as happened in the 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025 elections.

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The Spanish businessman was first elected as Madrid president in 2000, overseeing the club’s Galactico era, and resigned in 2006.

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Since Perez returned in 2009, Madrid have won five Spanish league titles and a remarkable six European cups, among other silverware.

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AFP

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