Head advertised

Rumblings at university as interim rector resigns

Unipark Nonntal - the university is looking for a new rector.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

The turbulence surrounding the rector election at the University of Salzburg has been going on for months. Now criticism is being voiced that the interim rector has not even been invited to a hearing. 

Nine candidates, nine chances to take the helm of the University of Salzburg. The search committee announced on Thursday that six men and three women will be invited to a hearing on May 20 and 21.

Critics see it as "more than unusual" that the current Rector Martin Weichbold was not considered. According to informed circles, he was attributed to former rector Hendrik Lehnert and was therefore rejected. Lehnert, however, had still campaigned for his former deputy in an internal letter.

Salzburg natives also at the hearing
Several Salzburg natives, such as Germanist and medieval expert Ingrid Bennewitz and cell physiologist Bernhard Flucher, were among those selected. Candidates with an international background such as Jan Palmowski, historian at the University of Warwick, and Jochen Sautermeister from the University of Bonn have also made it to the hearing.