The Council of JVLMA had nominated two candidates to choose from: Professor Ilona Meija and Professor Romans Vanags.
Voting took place in two rounds. In the first round, no candidate had enough votes, but in the second round, Ilona Meija was elected rector. She is currently fulfilling the role in a temporary capacity.
"I am truly grateful to my colleagues and students for the trust they have shown. This vote confirms that we are on the right track," Meija said after the vote. She is the first woman to hold the rectorship.
The competition for the position of rector was announced because the previous rector of JVLMA, Guntars Prānis, resigned in the second half of April after prolonged public pressure in connection with a major scandal involving allegations of sexual harassment by some teachers at the prestigious institution. However, Prānis retains his position at JVLMA as a professor and researcher. He was not personally accused of any inappropriate behavior but came under heavy criticism for the manner in which he handled the revelations.
