University of Sassari holds runoff election for new rector

The University of Sassari is holding a runoff election to select its new rector, with candidates Francesco Morandi and Omar Chessa competing for the position. The vote follows a second round of voting where Morandi, a professor of Tourism Law, received 267 preferences, while Chessa, a professor of Constitutional Law, received 227.

The outcome may depend on the support of third-place candidate Sergio Uzzau, who received 194 votes in the previous round. Discussions regarding potential political alignments between candidates have surfaced, alongside calls from Uzzau for institutional changes, including greater autonomy from the outgoing rector and a transparent review of the new Olbia Department.

Omar Chessa has stated that these priorities align with his platform. Observers note that a narrow victory or a high number of blank ballots could indicate a divided academic community. The winner is expected to be proclaimed in the university's great hall, with the official handover of duties scheduled for December.