German Chancellor Merz will meet ECB officials in Berlin next week and attend a Bundesbank-hosted formal dinner on Tuesday, ahead of the ECB’s two-day policy meeting, sources said. The meeting — the ECB’s annual rate decision held outside Frankfurt on a rotating basis — is widely expected to deliver a 25bp hike. Merz is expected to discuss Germany’s improving economic outlook with ECB officials. The gathering comes amid uncertainty over ECB President Lagarde’s future: she has indicated she may n

German Chancellor Merz will meet ECB officials in Berlin next week and attend a Bundesbank-hosted formal dinner on Tuesday, ahead of the ECB’s two-day policy meeting, sources said. The meeting — the ECB’s annual rate decision held outside Frankfurt on a rotating basis — is widely expected to deliver a 25bp hike. Merz is expected to discuss Germany’s improving economic outlook with ECB officials. The gathering comes amid uncertainty over ECB President Lagarde’s future: she has indicated she may not complete her term through October 2027, and the World Economic Forum is seeking to invite her to become its next chair. The German government is weighing whether to nominate Bundesbank chief Nagel as a potential successor to Lagarde.