European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has announced her resignation, with her departure scheduled for February 7, 2027, according to an ECB statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The announcement brings forward the end of Lagarde’s presidency by approximately eight months, as her term had originally been scheduled to conclude at the end of October 2027.
Lagarde Informs ECB Governing Council of Departure
The ECB said Lagarde had formally communicated her decision to the bank’s Governing Council and European Council President Antonio Costa.
The central bank stated:
“European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde today informed the Governing Council and European Council President Antonio Costa that she will leave her post on 7 February 2027,”
The announcement establishes February 7, 2027, as the date on which Lagarde is expected to leave her position.
The statement provided in the source material did not identify a successor or specify arrangements for the transition.
Departure Scheduled Before October 2027 Term Expiry
Lagarde’s term as ECB president was originally due to expire at the end of October 2027.
Her announced departure on February 7 would therefore take place approximately eight months before the scheduled conclusion of her mandate.
Reports concerning a possible early departure had circulated for several months before the announcement.
Those reports had identified the World Economic Forum as a possible next destination for Lagarde, although the ECB statement quoted in the source material did not confirm any subsequent appointment.
ECB Interest Rate Decision Scheduled for Thursday
The resignation announcement comes on the same day as the ECB’s scheduled monetary policy decision.
The central bank is due to announce its interest rate decision at 2:15 p.m. Italian time on Thursday, October 29.
Lagarde’s regular press conference is scheduled to follow at 2:45 p.m. Italian time.
The interest rate announcement and subsequent press conference are separate from the statement concerning her departure.
ECB Leadership Transition Ahead
Lagarde’s departure will create a leadership vacancy at the European Central Bank before the original expiry of her term.
The supplied announcement does not provide details concerning the selection of a successor or the timetable for appointing a new president.
For the immediate term, the ECB’s scheduled monetary policy announcement and Lagarde’s accompanying press conference remain the next events on the institution’s calendar.
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