Finance
ECB's Lagarde again hints at completing term
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 26, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 26, 2026
Quick Summary
ECB chief Christine Lagarde told EU lawmakers her baseline is to serve through Oct 2027, citing priorities like the digital euro. The ECB says any launch would be from 2028 at the earliest.
FRANKFURT, Feb 26 (Reuters) - European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde hinted again at serving out her term to complete projects including the digital euro, in a fresh pushback on Thursday against speculation about an early exit.
Lagarde repeated her "baseline" expectation that she would stay until the end of her term in October 2027, after the Financial Times wrote last week she was planning an early exit to give outgoing French President Emmanuel Macron a say in appointing her successor before an election next year.
"The digital euro is one of the elements of the mission that I regard as critically important," she told the European Parliament.
"My baseline is that it will take until the end of my term to deliver and to consolidate the mission: price stability and financial stability, a solid euro in digital form, both online, offline, wholesale, retail, all of it."
In a private message to colleagues seen by Reuters, she had also said she remained focused on her job and would tell them first if she was about to step down.
A potential early resignation by Lagarde was seen as making it easier for like-minded leaders such as Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to pick a successor.
But, coming after the French central bank governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau unexpectedly quit earlier this month, it would invite accusations that unelected central bankers were interfering with the democratic process.
The ECB has said that the digital euro, essentially an electronic version of cash that it hopes can help replace U.S.-denominated means of payment such as credit cards, would not be ready before 2029.
(Reporting by Francesco Canepa; Editing by Ros Russell and Alex Richardson)
Key Takeaways
- •Christine Lagarde reiterated her baseline to serve as ECB president through October 2027.
- •Comments push back on speculation about an early exit from the ECB role.
- •Priorities include consolidating price and financial stability and advancing the digital euro.
- •The ECB has indicated a digital euro would not be ready before 2028, pending legislation.
- •Remarks were delivered to the European Parliament amid ongoing debate over ECB leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions about ECB's Lagarde again hints at completing term
1What is the main topic?
ECB President Christine Lagarde signaled she intends to complete her term through October 2027, emphasizing the need to consolidate policy gains and advance the digital euro.
2When does Lagarde’s term end?
Her eight-year term as ECB president runs until October 2027, and she said her baseline is to serve until then.
3When could the digital euro launch?
The ECB indicates the digital euro will not be ready before 2028, with timing dependent on EU legislation and technical readiness.
