Lagarde May Leave ECB Early as Digital Euro Enters Key Phase

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is reportedly weighing an early departure before her eight-year term ends in October 2027, the Financial Times said, citing a person "familiar with her thinking." She took office in November 2019 and may be considering leaving ahead of France’s April 2027 presidential election so that outgoing President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz can agree on a successor.

An ECB spokesperson pushed back: "President Lagarde is totally focused on her mission and has not taken any decision regarding the end of her term." Her potential exit would come at a sensitive moment for the ECB’s digital agenda. Under Lagarde, the bank has advanced preparatory work on a digital euro and emphasized managing risks from privately issued digital money, including stablecoins, within the EU’s MiCA framework.

France

christine lagarde, ecb, digital euro, financial times, emmanuel macron, friedrich merz, stablecoins, mica, digital money, france election