Christine Lagarde has left open the possibility of stepping down from the European Central Bank a few months before her term expires, while making clear that no decision has been taken. In an interview with the French newspaper La Croix, she said she would still be at the ECB in 2027. Her eight-year term is due to end in October that year.
If she leaves early, Lagarde said, it would be only by a few months. She played down the potential impact on the institution and said she had not announced any specific plan.
She ruled out running in France's presidential election in April 2027, calling such a candidacy a bad idea. Lagarde said the presidency is not comparable with her current role and referred to the energy and sacrifices such a commitment would require. She is 70.
Asked about taking part in debates ahead of the French election, she gave no direct commitment, saying her task is to serve the European public interest.
Speculation about an early departure has circulated for months. Lagarde has been linked to the World Economic Forum in Davos, while reports have also suggested she might leave before the French vote. Those reports cited concerns about a possible victory by right-wing populists and the difficulty of selecting a new ECB president in that political climate.
In July, Lagarde said she would not leave before 2027, comparing herself to a captain who stays on the ship when clouds appear on the horizon. Her latest remarks keep open a departure shortly before the end of her term but confirm neither a date nor an intention.