Christine Lagarde Leaves the ECB, Succession Open and 2027 Speculation

In late October 2026, the press looked back at Christine Lagarde's career and the hypothesis of a candidacy in the 2027 presidential election, while her early departure from the presidency of the ECB was announced. The RN and LFI then accused Emmanuel Macron of wanting to lock down institutions, Gabriel Attal praised Lagarde's term, and questions arose about her political role in 2027. In early November, her climate record and post-departure compensation were examined, the governor of the Bank of France assured that this departure was a personal choice, and Stéphane Boujnah's departure from Euronext was presented as a retreat of French influence. The ECB succession process was launched with a November 6 deadline, Spain proposed Pablo Hernández de Cos, then only the Dutchman Klaas Knot and the Spaniard remained in the running, in negotiations between northern and southern countries. The right and center raise the possibility of a Lagarde candidacy in 2027, but she is described as reluctant and without a party or time to prepare a campaign, while Klaas Knot sets conditions for France and Emmanuel Moulin argues for a pragmatic ECB after her departure.