Reuters learned about the possible appointment of Lagarde head of the WEF in November

The World Economic Forum (WEF) may appoint the head of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde as its chairman as early as November, leading to her early departure from the regulator. This is reported by Reuters, citing four sources familiar with the situation.

According to the agency, the issue may be considered at a meeting of the WEF Board of Trustees, which includes Lagarde herself. A final decision has not yet been made, but sources say it enjoys broad support from council members.

Lagarde’s early departure would have allowed European leaders to choose her successor before the French presidential election in the spring of 2027. This would help to avoid possible complications in agreeing a candidacy in the event of a far-right victory, which is feared in European political circles.

Lagarde’s term at the ECB expires in October 2027. Among the possible candidates for her place, Reuters calls the former head of the central bank of the Netherlands Claas Knot and the former head of the Bank of Spain Pablo Hernandez de Cosa.

The World Economic Forum is led by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Roche Deputy Chairman Andre Hoffmann.

The World Economic Forum is an international non-profit organization founded in 1971 and based in Geneva. It brings together representatives of business, government, international organizations and the scientific community to discuss global economic and political issues. One of the main events of the forum is the annual meeting in Davos.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank of the eurozone countries, created to conduct a single monetary policy. Its main task is to maintain price stability and preserve the purchasing power of the euro. The ECB is also involved in the supervision of eurozone banks.

The World Economic Forum has faced a series of personnel changes after the departure of several executives amid scandals. In April 2025, its founder, Klaus Schwab, resigned after allegations of discrimination and harassment inside the forum. In February 2026, the post of head of the WEF left Berge Brende, whose name appeared in the materials of the case of American financier Jeffrey Epstein.

After these events, the forum began to discuss changes in the governance structure. In March 2026, the Financial Times reported that the WEF was considering cutting the board of trustees to focus more powers on co-chairs Larry Fink and Andre Hoffman.

In July 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported that Schwab was trying to return to work for the organization. According to the newspaper, he sent letters to members of the board of directors demanding that he be given an advisory role, including the opportunity to influence the choice of future leadership. Schwab also sought the restoration of access to the forum premises and personal security, as well as compensation for part of the legal costs.

Against this backdrop, Bloomberg reported in August that Lagarde had expressed a willingness to lead the WEF but wanted to make sure differences between the organization and its founder were resolved.

In September, the candidacy of the head of the ECB was discussed at a meeting of the board of directors of the forum. According to the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung, during the meeting it was not specified when Lagarde will head the WEF. Larry Fink and Andre Hoffman are expected to chair the annual meeting in Davos in January 2027, after which they will retire within a year.