Christine Lagarde, ECB President, praised Mario Draghi’s leadership at the Charlemagne Prize ceremony, emphasizing the importance of building strong, lasting European institutions for future challenges.
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, delivered a speech at the dinner preceding the Charlemagne Prize ceremony in Aachen, Germany, honoring Mario Draghi.
She highlighted the historical significance of Charlemagne as a symbol of European unity and drew parallels to Draghi’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of turning decisive moments into enduring institutions.
Lagarde reviewed Europe’s post-war foundations, including the European Coal and Steel Community, and the development of the euro, noting Draghi’s pivotal role during the sovereign debt crisis when he committed to do “whatever it takes” to preserve the euro.
She stressed that Europe’s work to strengthen its institutions remains unfinished, citing current global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, energy crises, and economic fragmentation. Lagarde called on European leaders to act with courage, building on Draghi’s example to create resilient, lasting institutions for Europe’s future.
She concluded by congratulating Mario Draghi on receiving the Charlemagne Prize, emphasizing the importance of leadership and institutional strength in shaping Europe’s destiny.
