Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 15, 2026 (AFP)
European Central Bank staff have demanded clarity on the future of its president Christine Lagarde, according to a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday, which warned that uncertainty risked undermining trust in the institution.
Media reports have linked Lagarde to the top job at the World Economic Forum, which holds its annual conference in Davos, Switzerland, each January.
Speculation has swirled that she will step down before her term expires in October 2027 so that French President Emmanuel Macron will have a say in choosing her successor before he leaves office next spring.
Asked about her future at an ECB press conference last week, Lagarde said "there is nothing to report".
But on Monday, The Financial Times reported that eurozone leaders are trying to hammer out a leadership overhaul at the bank by the end of this year.
It also said the World Economic Forum's board could vote on Lagarde's appointment in October or November.
The letter from the ECB's staff committee, sent Friday and first reported by The FT, called for "appropriate clarity regarding potential leadership transitions".
This is necessary not only for effective eurozone monetary policy and to ensure trust in ECB communications, the committee said, but also to address internal staff concerns about promotions and recruitment.
"Successive surveys have shown a steady deterioration in important areas of internal confidence," the letter said, citing perceptions of "favouritism".
"Experience shows that transitions at Executive Board level can delay or dilute internal reform," the letter added.
Asked for comment by AFP, an ECB spokeswoman said that "The ECB has long-established institutional governance arrangements and great depth of expertise to ensure that it operates smoothly during periods of transition."

Sumber : AFP