Christine Lagarde's departure from the ECB and the opening of her succession process

At the end of October 2026, Gabriel Attal praised Christine Lagarde's mandate at the ECB, while questions arose regarding a potential political role for her in 2027. In early November, articles revisited her climate record and her remuneration and pension following the announcement of her early departure, with the Governor of the Bank of France assuring that this exit was a personal choice. On November 6, the succession process was officially launched; Spain proposed Pablo Hernández de Cos, after which Klaas Knot and he were the only candidates remaining before a meeting of Eurozone Finance Ministers. Negotiations revealed a duel between Northern and Southern countries, against the backdrop of speculation about Christine Lagarde's candidacy in 2027, while Klaas Knot set conditions for France. Christine Lagarde commented on this hypothesis at the Paris Peace Forum, and a poll credited her with 14% of voting intentions for the 2027 presidential election.