European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has declined to rule out an early end to her tenure, intensifying speculation that she may step down to pursue a candidacy in the next French presidential election.
Her current mandate is scheduled to expire in October 2027, but the latest comments suggest a potential departure could occur sooner than markets have priced in.
The remarks have immediately triggered concerns regarding the stability of the ECB's leadership and the potential for policy shifts under a successor.
Investors are now weighing the risk of a leadership vacuum or a change in monetary stance, particularly as the eurozone economy navigates a delicate recovery phase.
The uncertainty adds a layer of political risk to the central bank's operations, which have been defined by Lagarde's steady hand since she took office.
This development follows previous signals from Lagarde that an early departure remained a possibility, but the latest refusal to dismiss the scenario marks a significant escalation in the speculation.