Historical: New rector KU Leuven is certainly a woman, but no one yet elected in the first round (Leuven)
Tine Baelmans or Severine Vermeire becomes the first female rector of KU Leuven.
Historical times are starting for KU Leuven, because for the first time in the history of the university, she gets a female rector. In the first round of the election, nobody was chosen yet, but only Tine Baelmans and Severine Vermeire continue to the second round. Peter Lievens did not get enough votes and loses.
Hundreds of employees and students started voting on Monday and Tuesday. They could choose from three candidates, and only an absolute majority could give them the title. Nobody succeeded in this in the first round, although Vermeire was closest to it.
VERMEIRE – Who is not the only candidate to be a member of the current rector team – reached around 45 percent. Vice-rectors Tine Baelmans and Peter Lievens divided the other votes: 27.5 percent and just under 27 percent respectively. So Lievens is falling off.
The KU Leuven certainly already gets a female rector. Whoever of the two will be decided in a second voting round. It takes place from May 19 at 8 am to 20 May at 4 pm. An absolute majority is still needed, but with only two candidates there will be there anyway in the second round.
Not evident
« This result is a lot of good, » says Séverine Vermeire. « This gives energy to continue on the same impetus. »
Tine Baelmans is also very satisfied with her results. “It was not obvious, with two from one out of one policy team campaign against each other. I like that people have given me the confidence to continue to the next round. The difference with Severine Vermeire is great, but not unbridgeable. It was not a feminine rector anyway that it was not a point for me. The most competent person should be able to take on the university. She is really ready: to be guided by a woman. «
