In remarks at a Deutsche Bundesbank dinner in Berlin, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde argued that European Union member states must respond collectively to growing economic and geopolitical pressure rather than accept decline or pursue fragmented national policies. She warned that dependence on foreign technology would weaken growth and threaten Europe’s capacity to fund its social model, while 27 separate national agendas would reduce Europe’s influence against larger powers. Lagarde advocated deeper European integration to achieve greater sovereignty and faster growth, including joint action to address weaknesses in defense and fragmented, costly energy markets. She highlighted the savings and investments union as a way to channel European savings toward strategic investment and the digital euro as a means of preserving monetary sovereignty by reducing reliance on external providers.
2026-09-09European Central Bank
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde urges collective European action to strengthen sovereignty and growth
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde urged EU member states to act collectively as economic and geopolitical pressures intensify. She identified the savings and investments union and digital euro as tools to strengthen investment, growth and European sovereignty.