July 3, 2026, 1:47 p.mJuly 3, 2026, 1:47 p.m
The President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, has not ruled out an early resignation from her position, citing the French presidential elections.
Christine Lagarde does not rule out early resignation.Image: keystone
“That is possible,” she told the French business newspaper “Les Echos” when asked whether this would be an option if the uncertainty subsides. “I believe that a European voice must be heard in the French presidential debate.”
ECB President Lagarde’s term of office runs until October 2027. “Given the fact that we are once again going through a turbulent phase, I am of the opinion that the captain of the ECB ship must remain on board,” said Lagarde. In doing so, she repeated a statement she had previously made.
Lagarde said it was “certainly possible” that she would hold open discussions with some of the French candidates in the coming months. The fact that she herself is running for office in France is not on the agenda.
The next French presidential election will constitutionally take place in spring 2027. The incumbent President Emmanuel Macron is not allowed to run again after two consecutive terms in office. An election victory for the right-wing Rassemblement National is considered possible. Observers suspect that Macron favors Lagarde’s resignation so that he can still influence the successor. (dab/sda/awp/dpa)