Following the surprise call for elections by Florentino Pérez, Enrique Riquelme, president and majority shareholder of Grupo Cox Energy, has taken the first official step. This Thursday, the businessman informed the Electoral Board of his interest in competing in the elections, utilizing the deadline which concludes next Saturday, May 23rd.
This move is just the beginning of a process that requires the presentation of a solid project and the achievement of specific requirements. Riquelme's team is working against the clock to assemble a candidacy that excites the members and can compete with the long tenure of Florentino Pérez, who has held the presidency for 17 consecutive years.
“"Enrique Riquelme's potential candidacy has sent the letter to the Real Madrid Electoral Board to confirm his desire to run. This does not necessarily mean he will continue on Saturday."
To formalize his candidacy, Riquelme must meet two notable requirements: present a guarantee of 15% of the club's budget, estimated at 187 million euros, and assemble a board of at least nine individuals, including a vice-president with 15 years of uninterrupted membership and members with at least 10 years.
Although there is no official confirmation, names have emerged that could be part of Riquelme's board, such as David Mesonero, corporate development director at Iberdrola and son-in-law of Ignacio Sánchez Galán, and Ángel Martín, owner of Clínica Menorca. Also mentioned are Dámaso Quintana, president of Cunext, and Rosauro Varo, investor and owner of the GAT conglomerate, in addition to the sons of Fernando Fernández Tapias and Vicente Boluda.
The electoral rules stipulate that candidacies must be examined the day after their presentation. If two candidacies compete, the Electoral Board will set the election date within a maximum of 15 days after the presentation deadline, likely around Sunday, June 7th, to allow candidates time to present their programs.
