The road to a new chapter at FC Barcelona has officially begun, with the club confirming that its presidential election will take place on 15 March. The announcement follows the resignation of current president Joan Laporta, who stepped down in line with club statutes — a procedural move that allows him to seek re-election later this year.

Laporta, who first took office in March 2021 after securing 54 percent of the vote, has overseen one of the most turbulent yet transformative periods in the club’s recent history. From financial restructuring to a renewed focus on youth development, his tenure has left a clear imprint on the Blaugrana.

In the interim, Vice-President Rafa Yuste will serve as acting president for the next three and a half months, ensuring stability while the electoral process unfolds. Meanwhile, the race is already shaping up, with former club executive Xavier Vilajoana and economist Marc Ciria confirming their intentions to contest the presidency.

Opinion: A Defining Moment for Barcelona’s Future

This election feels bigger than just a change of leadership — it’s a referendum on the direction Barcelona wants to take. Laporta’s resignation may be procedural, but it reopens a broader debate among socios: continuity or a fresh approach?

On one hand, Laporta represents familiarity and experience, having navigated the club through financial chaos and leaned heavily on La Masia talents to restore identity and competitiveness. On the other, challengers like Vilajoana and Ciria offer the promise of new economic ideas and alternative governance models at a time when Barcelona must still tread carefully off the pitch.

With young stars lighting up the Camp Nou and expectations rising once again, the next president will inherit both hope and pressure in equal measure. March 15 won’t just decide who sits in the president’s chair — it may well determine how Barcelona balances ambition, identity, and sustainability in the years ahead.

For the fans, this is democracy in action at one of football’s most storied institutions. And as always with Barça, the choice made now will echo far beyond the ballot box.