The race for the new rector at a major Belgian university has captivated local academic circles. On 2025-05-13 20:23:00, the first round of voting concluded, but no candidate secured the required absolute majority to claim the position outright.
- Winnende kandidaat vereist absolute meerderheid stemmen
- Vermeire behaalt bijna 45 procent stemmen
- Baelmans scoort 27,5 procent gewogen stemmen
- Lievens eindigt net onder 27 procent
- Lievens valt af na eerste ronde
- Er zijn 14 gewogen blanco stemmen
Among the three contenders, Vermeire led with nearly 45 percent of the votes, closely followed by Baelmans and Lievens. This tight competition raises the question: who will emerge as the next rector? And what does this mean for the university’s future direction?
As the election progresses, the focus shifts to the upcoming rounds where the final decision will be made, keeping the Belgian academic community eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Why did no candidate achieve an absolute majority, and what implications does this have? The split vote suggests a deeply divided electorate, reflecting varied priorities within the academic community. Key points to consider include:
- Vermeire’s strong lead with 944 weighted votes (45%) shows significant support but not enough to win outright.
- Baelmans and Lievens are nearly tied, with 592 and 571 weighted votes respectively, indicating a competitive race for second place.
- The presence of 14 weighted blank votes highlights some voter indecision or dissatisfaction.
- This close distribution means alliances or shifts in voter preference will be critical in the next round.
With no clear winner yet, the next phase of voting promises to be intense. Belgian academics and students alike should stay informed and engaged as the election unfolds, shaping the future of their institution.
