Christine Lagarde to step down as ECB president in February 2027

Lagarde leaves before the 36-firm digital euro pilot starts in H2 2027, with EU lawmakers yet to adopt the regulation the ECB needs to issue it. Christine Lagarde will step down as President of the European Central Bank (ECB) on 7 February 2027, around nine months before her eight-year term was due to end in October 2027. Lagarde informed the Governing Council and European Council President António Costa of her decision on Thursday, the ECB said.