Thursday, 19 February 2026
Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, is reportedly planning to resign before her term ends in October 2027, according to the Financial Times. This decision may allow French President Emmanuel Macron to influence the selection of her successor ahead of the upcoming French elections in April 2027. The ECB has denied these reports, stating that Lagarde remains focused on her current role.
Slovakia's government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, declared a state of oil emergency effective February 19, 2026, following a halt in Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. The emergency will last until at least September 30, and the government plans to release 250,000 tonnes of strategic oil reserves to support the country's only refinery, Slovnaft. Slovakia is also seeking to import oil via Croatia's Adria pipeline, although shipments may take up to 30 days to arrive.
French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed the issuance of Eurobonds to enable the European Union to collectively finance investments in digital transition, defense, and climate initiatives. This initiative aims to address France's significant public debt, which exceeds 115% of GDP, while also raising concerns among member states regarding fiscal responsibility and the complexities of debt repayment. Macron's call for a common borrowing mechanism reflects a broader strategy to mitigate national financial vulnerabilities through shared EU obligations.
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