Joan Laporta has stepped down as the president of Barcelona, preparing to run for the position again in the elections scheduled for March 15.
According to club rules, the current president must resign before elections occur, which means a management commission will oversee the club’s daily operations in the interim.
This commission will be led by Rafa Yuste, who has served as one of Laporta’s vice presidents since his initial election in 2021.
In his quest for re-election, Laporta will compete against Víctor Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubí, all of whom have officially announced their candidacies.
To secure their spots on the ballot for March 15, these candidates must gather 2,321 signatures from club members endorsing their bids.
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Laporta originally took up the presidency in 2021 for a second time, having first held the position from 2003 to 2010, following victories in the elections of 2003 and 2006.
In the last election, he garnered 30,184 votes, defeating Font, who received 16,679 votes, while Toni Freixa, who is not in the running this time, finished third with 4,769 votes.
The election campaign is set to intensify, with key issues likely influencing voters including potential summer signings, the club’s financial situation, the ongoing redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou, now nearing completion, and Lionel Messi’s future role at the club.