Europäische Zentralbank: EZB-Präsidentin Lagarde: Könnte paar Monate früher abtreten

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has indicated she may step down from her position a few months earlier than planned. "I am not ruling out the possibility of stepping down a few months before my term ends, but I have not announced anything concrete yet, and one thing is certain: I will still be here in 2027," Lagarde told the French newspaper La Croix.

"So if I were to step down prematurely, it would only be a few months," she said, emphasizing that her eight-year term is set to end in October 2027. Lagarde ruled out running for President in France's presidential election in April 2027, calling it "not a good idea" and noting that the job demands vitality, energy, and strength, with certain sacrifices inevitably accompanying such commitment.

When asked about her participation in debates leading up to the French presidential election in 2027, Lagarde offered a vague response: "My task now is to serve European public interest." Speculations about Lagarde's future have been circulating for months, linking her name to the World Economic Forum in Davos. She was also rumored to consider stepping down before the French presidential election in the spring.

The underlying concerns include the possibility of right-wing populists winning the election, which could complicate the replacement of the ECB's top leadership. Lagarde had previously affirmed she would not leave before 2027, stating, "When clouds appear on the horizon, the captain stays on the ship. And clouds are appearing on the horizon."

Earlier, Lagarde had not ruled out an early resignation, citing the French presidential election as a potential catalyst.