Overview

• The BVB presidium unanimously approved a hybrid election format that allows both in-person and online voting at the late-November members’ meeting.
• About 228,000 adult members with at least one year of club tenure will for the first time be able to cast ballots remotely.
• Observers say the broader online electorate favors CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, who enjoys strong support across the full membership.
• Incumbent president Dr. Reinhold Lunow supported the move despite it undercutting his turnout edge with fans and ultras at the Westfalenhalle.
• Both camps have already started behind-the-scenes mobilization and opposition research as Watzke prepares a final decision on entering the race.