France's debt stress and a fierce bond sell-off have made the race to succeed ECB President Lagarde, who is set to depart, a test of crisis-management ability. Policymakers and member-state governments are increasingly treating market tensions as a decisive factor in the appointment. Netherlands' Klaas Knot and Spain's Pablo Hernández de Cos are emerging as leading contenders to take charge amid renewed bond-market volatility.

2026-10-25

France's debt stress and a fierce bond sell-off have made the race to succeed ECB President Lagarde, who is set to depart, a test of crisis-management ability. Policymakers and member-state governments are increasingly treating market tensions as a decisive factor in the appointment. Netherlands' Klaas Knot and Spain's Pablo Hernández de Cos are emerging as leading contenders to take charge amid renewed bond-market volatility.