French central bank chief Villeroy to leave early, Macron to pick successor

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Villeroy to stand down in June, more than a year before end of his term

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Early exit allows Macron to name successor before presidential election

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Opposition RN lawmaker criticises move

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Villeroy was vocal policy dove on ECB council

(Recasts with context of decision, adds source comments on timing in paragraph 4, Villeroy quote in paragraph 6, RN lawmaker in paragraph 10, contenders' policy stance in last paragraph)

By Leigh Thomas

PARIS, Feb 9 (Reuters) -

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

Villeroy, ?66, has been a consistent voice for lower interest rates in the European Central Bank's governing council, although

analysts expect

his successor to ?adopt a similar stance.

Villeroy announced his departure in a letter to the central bank's staff, ?saying he was leaving to lead ?a Catholic foundation supporting vulnerable youth and families. He had been due to stand down in October 2027.

A source familiar with the matter said the timing of his departure ?was deliberate, aimed at ensuring continuity at the central bank and heading ?off any market jitters that could arise if a successor had to be chosen under a far-right presidency.

Polls show either eurosceptic far-right leader Marine Le Pen or her protege Jordan Bardella could win the next presidential ?election in spring 2027.

"I made this important decision naturally and independently," ?Villeroy told central ?bank staff. "The time between now and the beginning of June is sufficient to organise my succession in peace."

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

Villeroy's successor would have a six-year term, renewable once, and must be ?approved by the finance commissions of the National Assembly and Senate.

Their term of office may be terminated early only if they become incapable of performing their duties or are guilty of serious misconduct, according to French law.

Lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy from the far-right Rassemblement National told Reuters the move was aimed at putting in place anti-RN allies in case there is a change of power and said it was "another step towards illiberalism under Macron's regime."

ECB LOSES POLICY DOVE

With Villeroy's departure, the ECB will lose one of its most outspoken policy ?doves. Villeroy has ?been consistently warning for months about the downside risks to inflation, most recently due to the euro's strength.

"The victory over inflation has been won, and even though international uncertainties remain high, of course, monetary policy is in a good ?position with the ECB," he told staff.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said Villeroy's actions "have always been guided by rigour, independence and concern for the public interest."

Governors of the Bank of France usually have previously spent time at the Treasury, which deals with many of the most sensitive issues within the French Finance Ministry.

Two sources said that its current director Bertrand Dumont or past head Emmanuel Moulin would be good candidates, as well as Bank of France deputy governor Agnes Benassy-Quere or former ECB policymaker Benoit Coeure, both of whom have had positions in the Treasury.

Former OECD Chief Economist Laurence ?Boone, currently at Spanish bank Santander, is also seen as a possible candidate to replace Villeroy, both sources said.

While Coeure tended to support an accommodative monetary policy when he was at the ECB, little is known about where the other possible contenders stand.

However, French policymakers tend to lean dovish, a stance that could prove useful as ?France grapples with a growing public debt burden. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Additional reporting by Michel Rose and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Toby Chopra)