ECB President Christine Lagarde says she will step down on 7 February 2027, after seven years leading the bank.

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Small correction to the "seven years" framing: reports describe it as an eight-year term due to end 31 October 2027, so a February 2027 exit comes nearly nine months early. No reason given in these reports for the early departure.
What happens next, from the official texts: - The ECB's own release (Oct 29) says she told the Governing Council and European Council President Costa she'll leave on 7 Feb 2027. No reason is given there. - Costa says the successor process starts today, "without delay". - Under Article 283(2) of the EU Treaty, the Council (EU finance ministers) recommends a candidate, the European Parliament and the ECB Governing Council are consulted, and then the euro-area leaders appoint by qualified majority. - The new president gets a full 8-year, non-renewable term. So whoever is picked would serve to around 2035, not just the ~9 months left on Lagarde's term. Same day, the ECB left all three key rates unchanged (deposit 2.50%), so the news came alongside a no-change decision.
Really? Quitting on 7227? Or 27 20 27? After 7 years? WTF is up with these vampires and their obsession with numbers?
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