Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) - European Union countries have until Friday to present their candidates to succeed European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, with euro zone finance ministers to consider the nominations on Monday, November 9, a Eurogroup spokesman said on Tuesday.

Published on: 03/11/2026 - 12:33

Lagarde announced last week that she would step down in February, months before the end of her term, opening the door to a race to succeed her.

European Union leaders appoint her successor based on the recommendation of the eurozone finance ministers, who meet periodically within the framework of what is known as the “Eurogroup.”

"Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierakakis called on member states to submit their nominations by Friday," the spokesman said.

He added, "The Eurogroup will review the nominations at its meeting on November 9." The meeting will be held in Brussels.

The former head of the Dutch Central Bank, Klaas Knut, and the Spaniard, Pablo Hernandez de Cos, who currently heads the Bank for International Settlements, are considered the most likely to succeed Lagarde.

© 2026 AFP

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