ECB President Lagarde to step down on 7 February 2027
Christine Lagarde will leave her role as European Central Bank President on 7 February 2027, with her successor to be chosen by the European Council under EU treaty procedures.
Christine Lagarde has announced her resignation as President of the European Central Bank, effective 7 February 2027. She informed the Governing Council and European Council President António Costa of her decision. The announcement follows her eight-year tenure, during which she led the ECB through significant economic challenges. The Governing Council expressed gratitude and honored her contributions with a standing ovation.
The European Council will appoint Lagarde’s successor following the nomination process outlined in Article 283 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This procedure involves consultation with the European Parliament and the ECB Governing Council before final selection. The process ensures alignment with EU governance standards and institutional continuity.
The ECB Governing Council praised Lagarde’s leadership, highlighting her role in navigating the bank through periods of economic uncertainty and policy adjustments. Her departure marks the end of a term that included responses to inflation pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic. The council’s warm farewell underscored her impact on the institution.
Media inquiries regarding the transition should be directed to ECB spokespersons Eszter Miltényi-Torstensson and Uta Harnischfeger. The ECB has confirmed that reproduction of the announcement is permitted with proper attribution to the source. Further details on the succession process will be provided in due course.