Key facts
- Christine Lagarde will step down as European Central Bank President on February 7, 2027.
- Her term was scheduled to end in October 2027.
- Lagarde informed the ECB Governing Council and European Council President António Costa of her decision.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde announced on Thursday that she will step down on February 7, 2027, ending months of speculation about her future. The ECB confirmed her departure in a statement. Lagarde informed the ECB Governing Council and European Council President António Costa of her decision. Her term was originally scheduled to run until the end of October 2027. The announcement creates a vacancy at the top of one of Europe’s most powerful institutions and gives French President Emmanuel Macron a say in choosing her successor before France's presidential election next year. Lagarde joined the ECB in late 2019. The ECB is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision at 1315 GMT on Thursday, followed by Lagarde's regular press conference at 1345 GMT.