Bloomberg: Economists Predict Early Lagarde Exit from ECB

According to a Bloomberg survey, economists expect Christine Lagarde to step down early from her position as President of the European Central Bank (ECB). More than half of the survey participants believe the departure will occur within the year.

Klaas Knot, former head of the Dutch central bank, is seen as the most likely successor in the event of an early departure, garnering 57% of economists' preferences. If Lagarde remains until the end of her term, Pablo Hernández de Cos is the frontrunner.

The scenarios intensified after a report suggested Lagarde could leave before the French elections, allowing Emmanuel Macron to play a role in selecting her successor. Lagarde herself has stated that continuing her term is the "base case."

52% of economists believe that an early departure would damage the ECB's credibility.