The statement notes that she has informed the ECB governing council of her decision to step down early and also conveyed that message to European Council president, Antonio Costa. On her successors, the ECB just noted that one “will be appointed by the European Council following the nomination process outlined in Article 283 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union”.
As a reminder, her tenure as ECB president is supposed to end in October 2027. So, leaving in February means she will be headed for an early departure by about six months.
Now, speculation over Lagarde leaving the ECB early has been ongoing since the middle of 2025 already. At the time, Lagarde was heavily linked with taking over the WEF. Of course, she as well as the central bank were quick to try and play down such rumours back then.
However, that hasn’t stopped further reports about her early departure from emerging this year:
- ECB president Lagarde reportedly poised to leave the central bank before her term expires
- ECB president Lagarde fuels early exit speculation with ‘we’ll see’ response
As mentioned back in September:
“The timing matters because the succession race is already starting to take shape. Reuters reported earlier this week that France would back former Dutch central bank governor, Klaas Knot, to succeed Lagarde as ECB president. France’s backing is said to be part of a broader arrangement in which a French candidate would take over as the central bank’s chief economist instead.”
With Lagarde stepping down early now all but confirmed, it will fuel the story that it is also part of a move to allow outgoing French president Macron and German chancellor Merz to find a suitable replacement to put at the helm of the ECB.
This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.