Interview with Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, conducted by Benedetta Poletti on 12 February 2026

8 March 2026

Madame Lagarde, you were the first woman to be made partner at a major multinational law firm. You were also the first woman to serve as Economy Minister in a G7 country, the first to lead the International Monetary Fund, the first here at the ECB. Your hope is not to be the last, but to make way for others, is that right?

Yes. I have broken a few glass ceilings along the way, and I hope that thanks to that, other women understand they can too. I feel a special responsibility. There are moments in life when you ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Why am I pushing so hard? I could choose something easier now, less demanding.” But I have to keep going for those young women who admire me and say, “If she is strong enough, I’ll be just as strong. If she can do it, so can I.” And in some roles, another woman has already succeeded me – Kristalina Georgieva at…