Barcelona has announced on February 9 that their president Joan Laporta has resigned from his position ahead of the elections scheduled in the upcoming weeks. Although the news may come as a surprise, it aligns with the Article 42.f of the Barcelona Statutes which requires Laporta to step down to qualify as a candidate.
When are the elections happening?
The main elections will occur on March 15, but significant steps precede this, as described in an official statement from the club: “Together with Laporta, several board members are resigning to join the electoral race. Notable resignations include Elena Fort and Rafael Escudero, among others. The current board will continue its duties until the term ends on June 30 under a new configuration.”
Upcoming election timeline:
- February 9: Announcement of elections.
- February 10: Public selection of Electoral Board members.
- February 15-19: Voter registration opening.
- March 15: Voting day.
Candidates
Candidates must secure 2,321 supporting signatures. So far, Xavier Vilajoana, Joan Camprubí, Marc Ciria, and notably Victor Font have announced their candidacy, with Font indicating he would not retain Deco if elected.
Historical Context
Laporta, who was born on June 29, 1962, is historically significant as the first president in the club’s history to win office twice democratically. Under his leadership, Barcelona has secured numerous prestigious titles.
