President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde to step down. Here's who is tipped to replace her

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   ECB President Christine Lagarde to Step Down in February

   European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde announced Thursday that she will step down from her role on Feb. 7 next year. Her resignation follows months of speculation and immediately triggers a formal selection process to find her successor. Potential candidates from both the hawkish and dovish wings of European central banking have been positioning themselves for months, and the selection process is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. Two former central bankers from Spain and the Netherlands are tipped as possible replacements.

   Why it matters

   Lagarde's departure places France at center stage as European financial leaders prepare to select a new chief for the central bank. Candidates have been maneuvering for the post ahead of her official announcement. The transition comes as global markets navigate separate pressures, including a drag on Wall Street futures following an Alphabet earnings miss.

   What is confirmed

   • European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will step down on Feb. 7 next year.
   • Lagarde announced her decision on Thursday.
   • Candidates from both the hawkish and dovish wings of European central banking have been positioning for months.
   • Her resignation kick-starts a formal selection process expected to wrap up in the coming weeks.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Two former Spanish and Dutch central bankers are tipped to replace Christine Lagarde.

   What to watch next

   • The official conclusion of the formal selection process to choose a successor
   • Announcements of additional candidates for the European Central Bank presidency
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. Reuters — Asian shares wobble as Alphabet earnings miss drags Wall St futures lower
   2. CNBC — President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde to stand down in February
   3. The New York Times — Christine Lagarde to Step Down as Chief of European Central Bank
   4. CNN — European Central Bank President Lagarde resigns after months of speculation
   5. Bloomberg.com — With Lagarde’s Exit, France Takes Center Stage
   6. www.cnbc.com — Who could replace Lagarde as European Central Bank President?
   7. finance.yahoo.com — European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde to step down
   8. www.rte.ie — Key candidates to replace ECB President Lagarde - RTÉ
   9. www.irishtimes.com — Key candidates to replace ECB president Christine Lagarde
   confidence 100%