Christine Lagarde to Leave ECB Presidency in 2027
Listen to the story
Christine Lagarde has announced she will leave her role as president of the European Central Bank (ECB) on 7 February 2027. She shared the news in a video posted on social media.
Lagarde, who is French, has led the ECB, the institution that manages monetary policy for countries using the euro, since 2019. Her announced departure date comes earlier than many expected.
The timing of her decision is closely linked to French politics. France will hold a presidential election, and far-right leader Marine Le Pen is seen as a strong candidate for the role.
By leaving before the vote, Lagarde ensures that the choice of the next ECB president will not depend on the outcome of the French election. This means Le Pen, even if she becomes president of France, will not have the chance to select Lagarde's successor.
News reports described the move as giving European leaders 'free hands' ahead of the French vote, suggesting that Lagarde's early exit removes political pressure from the process of choosing the next ECB head.
The ECB plays a central role in managing the euro and setting interest rates across the eurozone. The choice of its president is therefore a matter of significant importance, not just for France but for the entire European Union.
No official successor has been named, and further details about the selection process for the new ECB president have not yet been announced.
Vocabulary10 words
- president
- the top leader of an organisation
- European Central Bank
- the bank that controls money matters for countries using the euro
- monetary policy
- decisions about money, like interest rates, made by a central bank
- election
- a public vote to choose a leader
- candidate
- a person who is trying to be chosen for a job, like president
- successor
- the next person to take over a job
- free hands
- having full freedom to act or decide
- interest rates
- the extra money banks charge or pay when you borrow or save money
- far-right
- political views that are very conservative and nationalist
- eurozone
- the group of countries that use the euro as their money
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. 7 February 2027 2. It happens before the French presidential election 3. False
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Christine Lagarde has announced she will leave her role as _____ of the European Central Bank.
She shared the news in a _____ posted on social media.
Lagarde has led the ECB, the institution that manages _____ for countries using the euro, since 2019.
The timing of her decision is closely linked to French _____.
France will hold a presidential election, and far-right leader Marine Le Pen is seen as a strong _____ for the role.
By leaving before the vote, Lagarde ensures the choice of the next ECB president will not depend on the _____ of the French election.
Le Pen will not have the chance to select Lagarde's _____.
News reports described the move as giving European leaders '_____' ahead of the French vote.
The ECB plays a central role in managing the euro and setting _____ across the eurozone.
No official successor has been named, and further details about the _____ process have not yet been announced.
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.