Fastrack · Lagarde to Step Down as ECB President in February

Christine Lagarde will step down as European Central Bank president on Feb. 7, the ECB said Thursday.

9 months remained on her eight-year term.
Lagarde previously led the International Monetary Fund.
She succeeded Mario Draghi as ECB president.

Why it matters: The ECB sets interest rates for the eurozone. Lagarde's departure starts a contest for its top job.

Terms for other senior ECB officials also end next year.

How 13 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 13 sources

13 sources · 13 articles · 46% Center coverage

Where they split: Reporting has noted speculation that the timing aims to let French President Emmanuel Macron help choose her successor before France's presidential election.

Center6 sources

CNBC1hECB President Lagarde to stand down in Februrary Deutsche Welle54mECB head Christine Lagarde to step down in February Financial Times1hChristine Lagarde to step down as ECB president in February France 241hECB President Christine Lagarde to step down in February 2027, nine months before term ends KSAT 12 San Antonio1hEuropean Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will resign Feb. 7, nine months early Semafor26mEuropean Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde to step down

Left coverage, 5 sources: The left sees an orderly early handover, partly shaped by worry that Marine Le Pen could influence the pick.

The Independent58mEuropean Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will resign Feb. 7, ahead of term CNN50mEuropean Central Bank President Lagarde resigns after months of speculation The Boston Globe59mEuropean Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will resign The Guardian31mEurope’s central bank chief Christine Lagarde to step down nine months early The New York Times1hChristine Lagarde to Step Down as President of European Central Bank

Right2 sources

New York Post11mEuropean Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will resign in February, nine months early Wall Street Journal1hChristine Lagarde to Resign Early as ECB President

What’s next: EU leaders will choose a new ECB president ahead of her Feb. 7 exit.

Prior speculation linked the timing to the chance that Marine Le Pen wins France's presidency.
Who will EU leaders pick to replace Lagarde?
Did French election politics shape the timing, as speculation suggested?
Has Lagarde or the ECB given a stated reason for leaving early?