Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (R) gives a thumbs-up as he poses for a photograph before the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Oviedo at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 14, 2026. Real Madrid officially started their electoral process today, after president Florentino Perez announced his decision to call elections, in which he will stand. There is a 10-day window, until May 23, for the submission of candidacies, Madrid said in a statement. Among the requirements to be a candidate are having been a club member for 20 years and providing a guarantee of 187 million euros ($219m), equivalent to 15 percent of the club's annual budget, which must be backed by personal assets. (Photo by Oscar DEL POZO / AFP via Getty Images)