Lagarde is a Candidate for the Presidency of the World Economic Forum

The Swiss newspaper NZZ reported that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde could assume the presidency of the World Economic Forum at some point in 2027. According to the newspaper, Lagarde was described during a board meeting near Geneva this week as a “potential candidate” to lead the organization behind the annual gathering of political and business leaders in Davos, while sources indicated that Lagarde also stated she was “ready to serve.”

The forum’s board is currently co-chaired by Roche Vice President André Hoffmann and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who are overseeing a leadership transition following the resignation of forum founder Klaus Schwab last year.

NZZ reported that Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said during the board meeting that the succession of Fink and Hoffmann should be resolved internally, noting that there are suitable candidates for the position.

According to the newspaper, Lagarde thanked the forum’s 28 board members for their confidence in her, noting that she has been a board member for several terms. However, the board has not set a precise date for Lagarde to take over the forum’s presidency, according to sources cited by the newspaper. Members agreed only that Fink and Hoffmann would continue to co-chair the forum’s annual meeting in Davos in January 2027.

Last year, Lagarde reaffirmed her commitment to completing her term at the European Central Bank, following speculation that she might leave her post early to lead the World Economic Forum.