Proposals from the Commission have been submitted to the Council.
In a surprising turn of events, Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany's most iconic football clubs, is gearing up for an extended election campaign as two contenders, Hans-Joachim Watzke and incumbent Reinhold Lunow, vie for the position of president.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, the CEO of Borussia Dortmund's publicly listed company, officially announced his candidacy for the club presidency in August 2025. Watzke, who has been at the helm since 2005, plans to step down from his operational role before the general assembly in November. In a statement, he expressed his desire to continue supporting the club in the important position of president if elected, receiving support from the club’s Economic Council and Council of Elders.
Reinhold Lunow, the incumbent president, initially announced that he would not run for another term. However, he unexpectedly confirmed his candidacy, making him Watzke's main opponent in what is shaping up to be a prolonged election campaign. Lunow, who celebrated his 72nd birthday on Wednesday, has not yet detailed his exact platform or envisioned changes for the club.
Watzke emphasizes his long-term dedication and operational experience within Borussia Dortmund, suggesting continuity with his past 20 years in leadership roles. On the other hand, Lunow’s specific policies remain undetailed in the available information.
The election will be decided at the club’s general assembly, likely in late 2025, with Watzke's decision to step down from his CEO position being a new development in his candidacy. Until now, Watzke had left his candidacy open for the summer.
This race appears to be a two-person affair at present, with no other candidates mentioned. The contest is notable given Watzke stepping out of his CEO role to pursue the presidency, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the election.
[1] German Press Agency, "Watzke announces candidacy for Borussia Dortmund presidency," [date], URL [2] Borussia Dortmund Official Statement, "Support for Watzke's candidacy from the Economic Council and Council of Elders," [date], URL
- Hans-Joachim Watzke's announcement of his candidacy for the Borussia Dortmund presidency, which was initially open only for the summer, has now been extended, as he plans to step down from his CEO position before the general assembly.
- Amidst the prolonged election campaign for the presidency of Borussia Dortmund, economic and social policy discussions are absent from Reinhold Lunow's platform, unlike his main rival, Watzke, who emphasizes his long-term dedication and operational experience within the club and European leagues.
