Béla Merkely, rector of Budapest’s Semmelweis University, has announced that he will step down on 1 January 2027, citing a breakdown in trust with the board of trustees of the foundation that maintains the institution. He has led Hungary’s leading medical university since 2018, overseeing significant improvements in its international rankings.
Merkely announced his decision on Thursday after presenting the university Senate with an assessment of his eight and a half years in office. According to a statement published on the university’s website, the Senate unanimously approved the evaluation of his work.
Rector highlights university’s achievements
Merkely said the university had fulfilled its commitments in education, research and development, and patient care during his leadership. He also highlighted its work during the COVID-19 pandemic and said it had since become Hungary’s largest healthcare provider.
Among the achievements he listed were Semmelweis University’s rise to become one of the world’s top 250 universities and its position as the leading higher education institution in Central and Eastern Europe. Both Hungarian and international student numbers had also reached record levels, he said. The rector additionally pointed to changes in the university’s education system and major infrastructure developments.
If you missed it: Hungary’s Semmelweis University breaks into world’s top 250 after major leap in global rankings
Merkely has formally submitted his resignation to the foundation’s board of trustees. In his letter, he said he was stepping down with effect from 1 January 2027 because of trust-related difficulties with the board, in order to ensure the university’s continued development.
He added that he would continue to fulfil his duties until his departure and ensure a smooth and lawful transition. His resignation must be forwarded to the President of Hungary through the minister responsible for education and child affairs, in accordance with the relevant procedures.
Merkely’s current term was originally due to run until June 2028. He was re-elected in 2023 after winning the university’s rector election by a substantial margin.
Magyar and Orbán react to the resignation
The announcement prompted sharply contrasting reactions from Prime Minister Péter Magyar and former prime minister Viktor Orbán, who now leads the opposition Fidesz party.
Magyar welcomed the departure in a social media post, writing: “The cleansing fire is advancing step by step in higher education, too.”
Make things easier with professional support in English. Explore Daily News Hungary’s Services in English and find the help you need.
Orbán, however, described Merkely’s departure as a major loss for Hungarian medicine, rejecting Magyar’s characterisation. “Driving Béla Merkely out is not a cleansing fire, but a huge loss for Hungarian medicine. Thank you for everything, Professor!” he wrote.
Merkely has also faced scrutiny over a potential conflict of interest. Earlier reports revealed that he had held an ownership stake in a company belonging to his son while it received public funding through tenders involving the university he led. An investigation was subsequently launched on suspicion of mismanagement, according to Hungarian media reports. Merkely later left the company.
