MNI BRIEF: Lagarde To Consider Involvement In French Elections

Christine Lagarde said Thursday she would consider stepping down from her role as President of the European Central Bank before the October 2027 end of her term in order to take a more active role in the French political debate ahead of presidential elections in April. 

"It’s possible. I believe that a European voice needs to be heard in the French presidential debate", Lagarde said in an interview with Les Echos newspaper. "I would speak with a French and a European voice, because I am profoundly both. I would tell them that France must play a decisive role in the economic future of our continent. And that without this European environment and anchoring, our economic prospects would, at the very least, be unclear."

Lagarde also said she would not rule out having a frank discussion with some of the candidates in the coming months in her capacity as ECB president. "That's certainly possible," she said.

At the same time, Lagarde stressed the importance of leadership continuity at a time of heightened uncertainty. 

"My term runs until October 2027. And I see my mission as ensuring price stability. Given that we are once again going through a turbulent period, I believe the captain of the ECB ship must stay on board," she said.