Universidade Nova de Lisboa Board moves to block rector election ratification

The Board of Trustees (Conselho de Curadores) of Universidade Nova de Lisboa has proposed a resolution to refuse the ratification of Paulo Pereira's election as rector, which took place on May 13, 2026.

The Board cites several alleged illegalities in the electoral process. A primary issue is the university's electoral regulations, which restricted candidacies to full professors (catedráticos) and coordinating researchers. This rule was previously deemed illegal by the Lisbon Administrative Court because it contradicts the Legal Regime for Higher Education Institutions (RJIES), which does not impose such academic category limitations.

Although the university readmitted a previously excluded candidate following the court's decision, the Board argues that the process remains flawed. They contend that a full reopening of candidacies is necessary because other eligible individuals may have been deterred from running by the illegal restrictions.

Additional grounds for non-ratification include the successive rescheduling of the vote due to a lack of quorum and failure to comply with minimum notice periods for convocations. The decision is currently a draft subject to a 10-day hearing period for interested parties before a final deliberation is reached.