Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez called for fresh club elections on Tuesday and announced he will seek another term in office.
The move comes at a volatile time for the Spanish giants, as Pérez faces internal pressure following a season in which the club won zero trophies [4]. A fresh mandate would provide the 79-year-old executive with renewed legitimacy to lead the club's sporting and financial direction [1].
During a press conference held at the club headquarters in Madrid on May 12, 2026, Pérez addressed the necessity of the vote [2]. He said he has been the target of a campaign to unseat him and believes a new election is the appropriate response to those challenges [1].
Pérez has served as president since June 2009 [3]. His tenure has been defined by significant commercial growth and a strategy of acquiring global superstars. However, the lack of silverware this past year has fueled speculation regarding his future. While some observers suggested the press conference might signal a resignation, Pérez said he intends to run again [2].
Health rumors also surfaced during the event. Pérez said he does not have cancer during the press conference [3]. The denial follows a period of intense scrutiny over the leadership's stability as the club navigates a transition period on the pitch.
The timing of the announcement suggests a desire to settle leadership disputes before the next competitive cycle begins. By calling for elections himself, Pérez attempts to control the narrative surrounding his tenure and the club's governance.
“Pérez called for fresh club elections on Tuesday and announced he will seek another term in office.”
By initiating elections during a trophy-less slump, Pérez is attempting to preempt a potential coup or a forced exit. Securing a new mandate would silence critics who argue his long tenure—spanning since 2009—has become stagnant, while providing him the political capital to overhaul the squad without facing immediate threats to his presidency.
