Christine Lagarde has repeatedly stated she will depart the ECB presidency in 2027, with her eight-year term set to conclude in October of that year, and has pledged to remain through at least the end of 2026 while declining to confirm an exact exit date. Recent interviews in September 2026, including with Irish and French media, reinforced this timeline and ruled out a return to national politics, even as eurozone governments advance confidential talks on a potential “grand package” of leadership changes involving the president, chief economist, and other board roles expiring in 2027. Speculation about an earlier exit has circulated since mid-2025 but has not produced any official announcement or confirmed timeline for 2026. European capitals continue successor discussions focused on candidates such as Klaas Knot, yet Lagarde’s public commitments and absence of immediate departure signals underpin trader expectations that she will serve throughout 2026.