Lagarde’s bandages due to a ‘little skin cancer,’ not ‘kick-boxing in Thailand’
In a video to staff, seen by POLITICO, the outgoing ECB president says her coverings are due to "a little skin cancer that had to go."
Frankfurt — Christine Lagarde, the European Central Bank president, announced her departure in February, drawing attention to the two bandages on her face seen in a subsequent video statement. The speculation on social media was quickly addressed by Lagarde, who revealed they were from a minor surgery earlier in the week. She emphasized the importance of regular skin checks, urging people to follow medical advice.
In an internal video message to ECB staff, Lagarde joked, "This is not kick-boxing in Thailand," after attending the IMF annual meetings in Bangkok. The ECB did not comment further on her departure, referencing her earlier statement. Lagarde, 70, officially steps down on February 7, a year before her term ends in October the following year.
While her immediate plans remain undisclosed, sources suggest she desires to express her views more freely, particularly on France’s 2027 presidential race. An official familiar with her intentions explained that her decision came almost a year ahead of schedule, allowing her "greater freedom to engage in non-monetary matters."
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
