According to information reported by the Financial Times, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is reportedly considering stepping down before the official end of her eight-year term, which is scheduled to conclude in October 2027.

The report, citing sources close to the central banker, states that plans for an early departure are directly connected to France’s political timetable and the presidential elections set for April 2027. The move is said to aim at facilitating outgoing French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in selecting her successor at the helm of the eurozone’s top institution before Mr. Macron’s term comes to an end.

This development follows the recent resignation of Banque de France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau, who also chose to step down early so that his successor could be appointed by the current French government. At the same time, discussions have resurfaced around scenarios that had circulated in the past regarding a potential leadership role for Ms. Lagarde at the World Economic Forum, although the ECB had previously stated that the president remained committed to completing her term.

Although the exact date of a possible resignation has not been specified, such a move is expected to accelerate succession procedures in Frankfurt. Already, among analysts and within Financial Times circles, the first names of potential successors are being mentioned, including Spain’s Pablo Hernández de Cos and the Netherlands’ Klaas Knot, as well as members of the ECB’s Executive Board who have expressed interest in the position.

With information from CNN.gr