Finance

Macron paves way for top official to lead French central bank

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 30, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 30, 2026

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Macron paves way for top official to lead French central bank

Macron’s Reshuffle May See Emmanuel Moulin Lead Bank of France Soon

Potential Leadership Change at the Bank of France

Macron’s Chief of Staff Appointment

PARIS, April 30 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday changed his chief of staff, which could pave the way for the top official at the Elysee palace to be named at the helm of the Bank of France.

Emmanuel Moulin as a Candidate

Sources told Reuters earlier this year that Emmanuel Moulin, who served as Macron's chief of staff for the past year, was seen by the president as a good candidate to lead the French central bank.

Official Response

Macron's office did not immediately return a request for comment.

Transition at the Bank of France

Villeroy de Galhau’s Early Departure

The current head of the Bank of France, Francois Villeroy de Galhau will stand down in June, more than a year before the end of his term, allowing Macron to name his replacement before a 2027 presidential election that the far-right could win.

Moulin’s Background

Experience in the French Treasury

Moulin, 57, is a former head of the French treasury, traditionally seen as a training ground for French central bank chiefs.

Upcoming Changes in the Elysee

His position at the French presidency will be terminated on May 4, the official gazette showed on Friday, and he will be replaced by Pierre-André Imbert.

(Reporting by Michel Rose;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)

Key Takeaways

  • François Villeroy de Galhau, governor since 2015, will resign in early June to head the Apprentis d’Auteuil foundation, creating an opportunity for Macron to appoint his successor ahead of the 2027 election (bis.org).
  • Emmanuel Moulin, 57, former Treasury chief and Élysée secretary‑general, is a frontrunner for the Banque de France post; his replacement as chief of staff by Pierre‑André Imbert takes effect May 4 (en.wikipedia.org).
  • The early vacancy allows Macron to influence central bank succession before potential political shifts in 2027, raising concerns about institutional independence amid mounting election uncertainty (lemonde.fr)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is likely to replace the head of the Bank of France?
Emmanuel Moulin, Macron’s outgoing chief of staff, is seen as a leading candidate to head the Bank of France.
When will Francois Villeroy de Galhau step down as head of the Bank of France?
Francois Villeroy de Galhau will step down in June, more than a year before his term ends.
What position did Emmanuel Moulin previously hold?
Emmanuel Moulin served as Macron's chief of staff and is a former head of the French treasury.
Who will replace Emmanuel Moulin as Macron’s chief of staff?
Pierre-André Imbert will replace Emmanuel Moulin as Macron’s chief of staff.

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