Pasta, promises and pressure: Barcelona’s election race heats up

Barcelona’s presidential hopefuls were handed their first major opportunity to gather the signatures needed to become official candidates in the March 15 election. A crowd of 44,936 turned out at Spotify Camp Nou – virtually a sellout in the current phase. Joan Laporta, Víctor Font, Xavi Vilajoana and Marc Ciria must submit 2,337 valid signatures by March 2. They will not have another chance to address so many club members at once until next Saturday’s game against Villarreal. The matchday atmosphere offered a prime platform to sway undecided voters and accelerate the race for endorsements.

The club set up three tents for each hopeful, with the exception of Font, who requested just one in the main stand and another in the lateral section. Signatures were collected across the board, though the lines forming at each tent hinted at early trends. “They’re telling me everything, there’s a bit of everything, but in general people are upbeat. They’re far more eager for change than it might seem,” Vilajoana said. On the prospect of signing Harry Kane, he stressed that the key is “having cards on the table when the time comes,” though nothing has been finalized. The striker recently said he knows nothing about Barcelona’s interest.

Font used the morning to unveil his plan for a new supporters’ section. He wants it to include at least 5,000 members and to transform Spotify Camp Nou into a “Bombonera” atmosphere capable of putting rivals under intense pressure. He also pledged to reinstate the club’s travel department and took aim at Laporta’s board, accusing it of prioritizing tourists over members by charging excessive ticket prices. His proposal centered on restoring what he views as lost identity and competitive edge in the stands.

Those barbs found Laporta cooking a large tray of pasta at Bar Bocata, a popular spot in Barcelona’s upper district favored by influencers and Instagram personalities. In a festive mood, the presidential hopeful ended up serving macaroni and singing alongside his supporters. While rivals pitched policy, Laporta opted for symbolism and spectacle in a carefully choreographed show of proximity to fans.

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