The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance at the University of Luxembourg has denied allegations that she tried to influence students ahead of an election to the Board of Governors in November 2023.
Katalin Ligeti issued a statement in response to questions from RTL regarding an article about changes within the university’s Board of Governors, though her response arrived after the editorial deadline had passed.
The article in question suggests that Ligeti attempted to influence the election. In her statement, Ligeti writes: “It is correct that I spoke to one of the student representatives from my faculty before the said elections. However, this student was not present during the elections for the Board of Governors, so he did not participate in the vote. Furthermore, at no point did I attempt to influence him or anyone else.”
According to communications seen by RTL, students were reportedly approached by the Dean, as well as by another professor on her behalf, to present researcher Imen Derouiche as a candidate from the faculty. The researcher was described as young, likely to bring diversity to the Board of Governors, and closer to the students than to the professors.
Students recorded these approaches in the minutes during the University Council election, and subsequently, many of them abstained from voting.
Ligeti further responded to the claims in her written statement: “I can only express my surprise at the idea that it would be so simple, or even possible, to influence students in their voting preferences. Students are independent-minded enough to make their own choices.”
