Update: On September 11, the German Rectors' Conference (German: HRK) also published a joint statement with the Executive Board of the Saxon State Rectors' Conference and the Thuringian Conference of State Presidents on the preservation of university autonomy and academic freedom after the parliamentary elections.

Saxon State Rectors’ Conference on the results of the state elections:

The Saxon State Rectors' Conference (German: LRK) is elated as the results of the state election suggest a continuation of the importance of science for the future government and for the innovative and economic power of the Free State of Saxony. Independent institutes have conducted a number of academic studies and have confirmed the significance of investments in science for the citizens of the individual federal states.  The respective added value of these investments outweighs the costs by far. Education, research and innovation are irreplaceable parts of any economy. This sentiment is underscored by the fact that a large number of companies and spin-offs are settling here, not to mention the competitiveness of companies at or near universities in Saxony.

Despite the worrying nature of the election result, the LRK welcomes the opportunity for a government comprised of parties wholly committed to democracy to be formed. Scientists, musicians and artists at universities in Saxony consider it a personal obligation to contribute to a cosmopolitan, democratic, hate-free and dialog-based political landscape. The rectors of the state universities in Saxony continue to stand up for these values. The Chairperson of the LRK in Saxony, Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, emphasizes: "The autonomy of universities, as well as the preservation of the freedom of research and teaching, have proven their worth in Saxony. Both were and continue to be key factors for social development, especially in times of crisis."

On May 15 of this year, the current state government under Minister President Michael Kretschmer and the rectors of Saxony's universities agreed on the terms of basic funding for the universities for the next eight years. Maintaining this agreement is of the utmost importance for the Free State of Saxony, as it gives staff and students a stable and secure outlook to the future.

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