Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, is in advanced discussions to assume the presidency of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2027. According to a report by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Lagarde was named as a potential candidate during a recent WEF board meeting near Geneva.
The 28-member board, currently co-led by André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, has not finalized a timeline for the transition but has agreed that Fink and Hoffmann will oversee the WEF’s annual meeting in Davos in January 2027. Lagarde, who has served on the WEF board for multiple terms, thanked members for their confidence in her potential leadership, the report stated.
Lagarde has previously stated her intention to complete her eight-year term at the ECB, which concludes in October 2027. Earlier speculation suggested she might step down early to take the WEF role, but her commitment to the ECB post has since been reiterated. The WEF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The potential leadership change comes after WEF founder Klaus Schwab stepped down last year, leaving the organization’s governance in transition. Hoffmann and Fink have been managing the interim leadership structure, ensuring continuity ahead of the formal transition.
