ECB chief Lagarde to step down early, triggering leadership race - Türkiye Today

E uropean Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde will step down in February 2027, eight months before her term expires, the bank announced Thursday, setting off a leadership contest ahead of France's presidential election. "European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde today informed the Governing Council and the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, that she will step down from her position on Feb. 7, 2027," the Frankfurt-based institution said in a statement. Lagarde's early departure gives European leaders an opportunity to appoint her successor before France's presidential election in April 2027, where eurosceptic far-right and far-left candidates have been leading in opinion polls.