Lagarde to leave ECB on 7 February, says face bandages were for 'a little skin cancer that had to go'
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will step down on 7 February. She ended months of speculation about her future on Thursday with the announcement, ahead of her term officially ending in October next year. Lagarde is 70.
Attention, however, quickly turned to more than her departure date: the two bandages on her face visible in a video statement she posted prompted speculation on social media.
In a follow-up post, Lagarde said the bandages were from a 'small surgery' earlier in the week. She urged people to follow medical advice and get their skin checked regularly.
In a separate internal video message to all ECB staff, seen by POLITICO, Lagarde offered more humour and detail. Referring to attending the International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Bangkok earlier this month, she said: 'I know I look funny. This is not kick-boxing in Thailand. It is just a little skin cancer that had to go.'
The ECB declined to comment and referred to Lagarde's earlier statement.
The ECB did not reveal Lagarde's immediate plans. She has previously hinted she may want to weigh in on France's 2027 presidential race.
An official familiar with Lagarde's thinking, granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said she made her move almost a full year before the end of her term to have greater freedom to express her views and engage in non-monetary matters, because she cannot remain neutral when she sees the developments taking place in her own country and in the world.
The ECB chief is set to wade back into French politics. Whoever takes on the top roles at the ECB will face huge challenges as the fallout of the Iran war continues to hit Europe's economies, and as climate risks mount the bank faces a test of its commitment to green finance.
