Germany: Enrico Schleiff elected for second term as President of Goethe University, Frankfurt-am-Main

Enrico Schleiff, Professor of Cell Biology at Goethe University in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, has been elected by the Senate to serve a second term as President. Voted on 25/02/2026, the new term of six years will begin on 01/01/2027, following his appointment by the University Council. Schleiff's first term began in 2021.

Schleiff's second term is the first since Rudolf Steinberg was re-elected in 2006. "My first term in office coincided with challenging years for the university, during which we had to respond to both academic and societal conditions. This led to a high degree of change; rapid decisions were necessary. Our organisation cannot sustain this pace of change indefinitely without overburdening itself and its employees," Schleiff stated.

He acknowledged "deteriorating financial and political conditions" and affirmed his intention to "slow down" and "create stability" for staff and students.

"Schleiff has set a very promising course for Goethe University, particularly with the successes in the Excellence Strategy and the joint application of the Rhine-Main Universities…