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Lagarde Expected to Step Down from ECB Before 2027 French Elections

Published February 18, 2026, 09:21
Lagarde Expected to Step Down from ECB Before 2027 French Elections

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde is expected to step down before the end of her eight-year term in October 2027, according to a report by the Financial Times. Lagarde reportedly wants to leave before the April 2027 French presidential elections, facilitating the search for a successor by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Macron will complete his second term next year and is ineligible to run for re-election. The ECB has not commented on the reports, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the information. Lagarde previously served as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and as France's Minister of Economy and Finance.