ECB President Christine Lagarde to Leave Office in February 2027, Bank Says

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will leave office on 7 February 2027, the ECB announced on Thursday, 29 October, bringing forward the end of a term that had been scheduled to run until October 2027.

The ECB said Lagarde had informed its Governing Council and European Council President António Costa of the decision. Under European Union treaties, the European Council will appoint a successor through the prescribed nomination procedure. The central bank did not name a replacement or announce a new monetary-policy decision in its resignation statement.

The departure opens a leadership selection process at a time when euro-area policymakers face weak economic growth and inflation pressures. Potential successors discussed in reporting include former national central-bank governors, but no appointment has been made. The choice will be made by EU leaders rather than through a public election.

Lagarde took charge of the ECB in 2019 after previously leading the International Monetary Fund. The timing of her departure, months before the scheduled end of her eight-year term, gives European governments a longer transition period. Speculation about her next position remains unconfirmed and should not be treated as part of the bank's official announcement.