Thursday, October 29, 2026

Christine Lagarde to resign from ECB in February instead of October in order to be able to speak more freely to French politics

My bet is she will be a candidate against Marine Le Pen. 

 Christine Lagarde to Resign Early as ECB President

... Her commitment to finishing the job has been in question for more than a year, fueled in part by her own acknowledgments that she could quit early.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Lagarde said there was never a good time to leave. But, she said, her decision was informed by a desire to speak more openly about world affairs. That includes developments taking place in France, her home country, according to people familiar with the matter.

“I want to have the freedom of speech, the freedom of expression and the freedom to engage on matters that are not monetary-policy matters,” she said. “I think that my voice can help. My action can help, in relation to principles that are dear to my heart.”

... Lagarde’s decision to step down early means Macron will also have the chance to help pick her successor before he leaves the Élysée next May. ...