Christine Lagarde, ECB President, in an interview on June 24, 2026, discusses the ECB’s rate decisions, inflation, digital euro, global currency tensions, Europe’s economic role, and future leadership plans.
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), was interviewed by Guillaume Benoit and Christophe Jakubyszyn on June 24, 2026. The discussion covered recent monetary policy decisions, inflation trends, and economic outlooks.
On June 11, the ECB raised its key interest rates. Lagarde confirmed the decision was appropriate, citing data confirming an external supply shock and rising inflation excluding energy and food, which increased from 2.2% to 2.5%. She emphasized that inflation projections for 2026, 2027, and 2028 support the rate hike.
Lagarde addressed concerns about monetary tightening slowing the economy, noting a slight decrease in growth forecast from 0.9% to 0.8%, a near-record low unemployment rate, and robust financial sector conditions. She indicated that future rate decisions depend on incoming data and inflation risks.
Regarding currency tensions, Lagarde acknowledged the undervaluation of the renminbi and potential for a currency war, emphasizing Europe’s significant economic size and untapped potential. She highlighted the importance of reforms and investment in the EU, referencing the Draghi and Letta reports.
On the digital euro, Lagarde explained that it would reduce transaction fees for merchants and provide citizens with a secure, accessible means of payment, including for person-to-person transactions. She dismissed concerns about government monitoring and bank deposit drains, emphasizing the design’s safeguards and bank intermediation role.
Concerning public debt, she noted that euro area debt stands at around 88% of GDP, with divergences among member states. She stressed the importance of monitoring and reform, citing France’s need for structural reforms over fiscal adjustments.
Lagarde highlighted risks from artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data theft, calling for international cooperation on AI regulation. She also confirmed her term extends until October 2027, but left open the possibility of early departure if circumstances change.
Regarding France’s political future, she expressed willingness to engage in the presidential debate, emphasizing France’s role within Europe and the importance of courageous decision-making. She joked about possibly supporting a candidate or running herself, but clarified it is not currently planned.
