Florentino Pérez wins Real Madrid election as turnout reaches 48 percent

USPA NEWS - Florentino Pérez was re-elected as president of Real Madrid on Sunday, June 7, securing 65% of the vote in an election marked by a 48% turnout among the club’s 70,000 eligible members. His challenger, Enrique Riquelme, received 35%, while nearly one thousand postal ballots were annulled due to formal irregularities, according to the Electoral Board.

Florentino Pérez was re-elected on Sunday, June 7, as president of Real Madrid until 2030 after prevailing in an election that the Electoral Board described as having been conducted with normality and solid participation. His candidacy received 21,741 votes, 65% of the total, compared to the 11,814 votes (35%) obtained by Enrique Riquelme. In total, 33,555 valid ballots were cast, representing a turnout of nearly 48% of the approximately 70,000 members eligible to vote. Abstention exceeded 50%, reaching around 52%. The electoral authorities also reported the annulment of nearly one thousand postal votes due to formal errors, certified by a notary, which will be appealed. Even if all those votes had been validated, turnout would barely have surpassed 49%.

The turnout figure suggests that, despite the institutional relevance of the election, a significant portion of the electorate chose not to go to the polls. Factors that may explain this include the long-standing continuity of the presidential project, the perception of internal stability, or the absence of a confrontational climate that might mobilize members. The logistics of the day may also have played a role, as the vote coincided with a busy Sunday in Madrid, although the process unfolded without notable incidents according to the Electoral Board.

In his remarks following the official proclamation, Pérez emphasized that the election was conducted transparently and without significant issues, highlighting that members were able to exercise their voting rights despite the logistical challenges presented by the city throughout the day. The president stated that the result reflects the commitment of the club’s membership and the continuity of the institutional project launched in 2000.

He noted that his new term will focus on maintaining internal stability and strengthening the club’s position in key economic and reputational indicators within professional sport. He also reiterated the intention to compete for all titles in the coming seasons, including the pursuit of the sixteenth European Cup, and to consolidate the role of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as a strategic asset.

Pérez affirmed that the Board of Directors will work to address the concerns of all members, including those who did not support his candidacy, and stressed that unity within the Real Madrid community will be a priority in this new stage. He also mentioned the return of José Mourinho to the bench as part of the sporting project for the coming years.

The president concluded his message by appealing to collective effort and competitive ambition, stating that the club enters a new cycle with the objective of maintaining its presence at the top level of international football both on the sporting and economic fronts.