ECB: Deadline for countries to present candidates for Lagarde's succession ends this Friday

The deadline for countries to nominate candidates for the ECB presidency ends this Friday, with Pablo Hernández de Cos and Klaas Knot as frontrunners. Christine Lagarde, the current president, announced her departure in February 2027, prompting the search for her successor. Portugal will not present a candidate. The Eurogroup will evaluate the nominations in their upcoming meeting. The ECB president is appointed for an eight-year term, requiring a qualified majority decision from EU member states based on a recommendation from the EU Council. Lagarde expressed her desire for freedom of expression beyond monetary policy.