Lagarde reiterates she will leave the European Central Bank in 2027 but refuses to provide an exact date

According to Golden Ten Data APP, Christine Lagarde reiterated that she will step down as President of the European Central Bank in 2027, but refused to confirm whether she would remain in the position until her term ends in October next year.

“I will leave in 2027,” Lagarde said on Friday. When asked if this meant October of that year, she replied, “We’ll see then.”

“What I can say now is that, whenever it happens, the matter will be handled in the most professional way, as it should be,” Lagarde stated.

In July, she told reporters, “You won’t see me leaving before 2027.” Last week, she also stated, “When there’s something personal to report, you’ll be the first to know,” adding, “At the moment, there is nothing to report.”

Recently, Lagarde revealed that she will publish her memoir in January, which has fueled market expectations that she may leave the European Central Bank early. Reports indicate that the World Economic Forum, famous for its annual meeting in Davos, is still urging her to take over as its leader, and she appears ready to accept the role.

If Lagarde steps down, it would open up one of the most powerful positions in the global central bank community, with former central bank governors from the Netherlands and Spain among those vying for the role.

On Friday in Dublin, Spain's Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuervo, said that it is time to start discussing the European Central Bank after Lagarde.

“Whether she finishes her term is up to her. Whatever she decides, we will support her,” he said. “Regardless, these discussions need to begin, or rather must begin,” because “it’s not just the presidency, there are more vacancies, and we need to start these discussions.”

Lagarde stated that finding the right combination for the ECB’s key decision-making bodies is crucial. Chief Economist Philip Lane and Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel’s terms also end next year.

“What matters is the combination of skills at the Executive Board and Governing Council table, and having diversity of viewpoints is actually beneficial,” she said. “Diversity in viewpoints, because you have both men and women; diversity in viewpoints, because you have economists with central bank experience, as well as people from other backgrounds. I believe this is very beneficial.”