The electoral commission of Real Madrid has announced presidential elections following Florentino Pérez’s decision to request a vote of confidence from club members. This move comes after two consecutive seasons without securing a major trophy.
In a fiery news conference on Tuesday, Pérez declared his intention to seek re-election, having been elected without opposition just last year. He criticized what he claimed to be a coordinated media attack against him and the club.
Pérez has been at the helm of Madrid since 2000, except for a brief three-year hiatus following his resignation in 2006. In the last five presidential elections of the member-owned club, he has faced no challengers.
The recent 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the Clásico at Camp Nou led to Barça securing the LaLiga championship and marked Madrid’s first season in two decades without major silverware.
In a TV interview on Wednesday, Pérez acknowledged that the 2025-26 season has not met expectations, attributing the team’s struggles to a shortened preseason caused by the Club World Cup and officiating errors.
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He expressed feeling “angry” during the lengthy 75-minute news conference, stating he was “sick” of media “manipulation.” Pérez promised summer signings and praised the previous influence of former coach José Mourinho, who is considered a top candidate for a return next season.
On Wednesday, Enrique Riquelme, a businessman and club member mentioned by Pérez as a potential electoral rival, stated that he would decide in the coming days whether to pursue the challenge.
Those interested in candidacy have until May 23 to submit their applications, which must then receive approval from the electoral commission. This will be followed by a brief, two-week campaign period and a vote by the members.
The club’s regulations, updated in 2012, require presidential candidates to be Spanish nationals, longtime club members for at least 20 years, and to personally guarantee 15% of the club’s annual budget.
In an open letter addressed to Pérez and made public on Wednesday, Riquelme called for a “dialogue” to establish a longer electoral process, arguing that it would promote “genuine participation” from members and supporters.