Lagarde to leave the ECB on 7 February 2027
The ECB confirmed the date. António Costa said the successor appointment process starts today; no new president has been named.
Christine Lagarde will step down as President of the European Central Bank on 7 February 2027. The ECB confirmed the date in a release on 29 October 2026, saying she had informed its Governing Council and European Council President António Costa.
In a separate official statement, Costa said the process to appoint her successor begins today, 29 October, and will proceed without delay. His stated aim is a timely decision to ensure a smooth transition. Neither announcement names a new president.
How the successor will be chosen
Under the official procedure, euro area states propose candidates, the Eurogroup discusses and agrees on a candidate, and the Council issues a recommendation. The European Parliament and the ECB Governing Council are then consulted. The European Council, meeting in its euro area composition, takes the final appointment decision by reinforced qualified majority under Article 283(2) of the Treaty.
A future departure, not an immediate leadership change
The confirmed developments are a specific future departure date and the start of the institutional process. The statements do not announce her departure today or a completed succession. This announcement is not an interest-rate decision or another monetary-policy measure.
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