Presidential 2027: Released by the ECB, can Christine Lagarde be the messiah of the central bloc?

In storytelling, we call it a Deus Ex Machina. When all seems lost and there is no hope, a miraculous solution appears out of nowhere to save the situation. The resignation of Christine Lagarde from the European Central Bank, which occurred this Thursday, could well be the Deus Ex Machina that was missing from the central bloc before the presidential election.

The two declared candidates, Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, are unable to give the slightest impetus to their respective campaigns and are receiving a series of poor polls. Long favorite to reach the second round alongside the indestructible Marine Le Pen, Philippe even sees himself systematically overtaken by Mélenchon. Mired in this endless bad patch, the “liberation” of Christine Lagarde could well be a game-changer in a political movement which is increasingly looking for a third head.

What if she was the chosen one? A solid file, but not very flamboyant Alexandre Eyries, HDR teacher-researcher in political communication at the Catholic University of the West, lauds her: a woman of experience and expertise, president of the IMF then of the European Central Bank, high-level economist, known internationally. A very qualified profile, especially in a presidential election which should be very focused on the debt, public finances, the deficit and other macroeconomic joys: “These are issues that she masters perfectly and on which she has enormous skills,” underlines the expert.

This predominance of the economy could even compensate for its defect: “Its overly serious and cold ethos, which would be a burden in any other election, could be an added value for 2027.” Be careful not to overestimate its results, however. “She undoubtedly did the job, whether at the IMF or the ECB, but she did not shine, positively or negatively,” strongly qualifies economist Sylvain Bersinger.

“We will not remember any measure or any show of brilliance from his balance sheets”, unlike Mario Draghi, for example. Much more offensive and striking, the Italian then succeeded in converting the attempt politically, by becoming president of the Italian Council of Ministers. The insurmountable balls of the central block Can Christine Lagarde really imitate it?

Less flamboyant, therefore, than her transalpine twin, the resigner also has a few balls on her feet. Can we really escape the image of the central block? “Just like Edouard Philippe or Gabriel Attal, Christine Lagarde could have difficulty asserting herself in the face of the demagogic but tempting proposals from the RN and LFI blocs,” worries Alexandre Eyries.

Machine-translated from French