LaLiga champions Barcelona have scheduled presidential elections for March 15.
The current president, Joan Laporta, will see his five-year term conclude later this year, though there was some leeway regarding the timing of the elections.
The club opted for the earliest available date between mid-March and mid-June, coinciding with their participation in multiple competitions.
Alongside Laporta, who intends to run for re-election, candidates Víctor Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubí have declared their candidacies.
To secure a spot on the ballot for the March 15 election, each candidate must gather 2,321 signatures from club members endorsing their campaign.
All four challengers have voiced concerns about conducting elections during the active season.
The chosen date, a Sunday, falls amid the Champions League round of 16 — a time when Barça aspires to still be competing — and while battles in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey are ongoing.
On-field performance is a significant factor influencing how club members cast their votes.
“It’s clear that the elections have been called at a convenient time for Laporta,” said Font, who was the runner-up in the 2021 election.
“But we anticipated the elections happening amid a Champions League tie, so it doesn’t catch us by surprise. We’re prepared for elections that will be crucial for Barça’s future.”
Laporta argues that March is the most suitable date for the elections from both a sporting and institutional perspective.
With the election date confirmed, Laporta will need to step down in February, after which a management committee will oversee day-to-day operations at the club.
Key issues in the lead-up to the elections are expected to include the club’s financial situation, the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou, which is nearing completion, and the potential future involvement of Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
If elected, Font has stated that Messi will be his first call, while Ciria has expressed that the Inter Miami forward “must return” to the Catalan club.
Laporta, who was in charge during Messi’s departure, is currently in the midst of his second non-consecutive presidency, having previously served from 2003 to 2010, and reassuming the role in 2021.
Since his return, Barça has secured two LaLiga titles, though the Champions League, a trophy they haven’t won since 2015, still eludes them.
Conversely, the women’s team has thrived, clinching five Liga F titles and three Champions League trophies.