Christine Lagarde opens the door to an early departure from the ECB and hints at a role in the French political debate

The president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, has not ruled out the possibility of leaving her post before the end of her term, scheduled for October 2027, in order to become involved in French politics. However, she has stated that a candidacy in next spring's presidential election is "currently" not on the agenda.

When questioned by the newspaper The echoes Regarding a possible early departure, Christine Lagarde acknowledged that such a scenario remained conceivable. "It's possible," she stated, adding that "a European voice must be heard during the French presidential debate."

These remarks contrast sharply with her previous statements, when she dismissed rumors of her resignation by asserting that a "captain" does not leave their post during turbulent times. At the time, marked by a sharp rise in inflation linked to the increase in oil prices caused by the war in Iran, she had affirmed her intention to complete her term.

While she has now left open the possibility of leaving before 2027, Christine Lagarde has nevertheless distanced herself from the idea of ​​an immediate candidacy in the presidential election. When asked about potentially supporting a candidate or running herself, she initially joked, replying, "I'll think about it," before clarifying that this prospect was not being considered "at the moment."

The ECB president explained that her primary objective would be to bring a European dimension to the national political debate. She stated her intention to speak "with a French and a European voice," emphasizing her commitment to both dimensions.

These statements come a few months before an important political period in France and could fuel speculation about the future of Christine Lagarde, whose name is regularly mentioned in discussions about the succession at the head of state.