Meet the front-runners to replace Lagarde

What happened: Christine Lagarde will depart the European Central Bank in February next year, and Pablo Hernández de Cos and Klaas Knot are the leading contenders to replace her. Key numbers: A Bloomberg survey of economists gave de Cos 12 picks against nine for Knot. Lagarde departs in February. Why it matters: EU leaders will make the appointment, and national claims plus a likely package deal on other ECB vacancies will shape negotiations. Analysts cited see the choice turning on policy temperament and political arithmetic. Coverage: 3 outlets in 24h

Christine Lagarde will depart the European Central Bank in February next year, and Pablo Hernández de Cos and Klaas Knot are the leading contenders to replace her.

EU leaders will make the appointment, and national claims plus a likely package deal on other ECB vacancies will shape negotiations. Analysts cited see the choice turning on policy temperament and political arithmetic.