Oct 30, 2019
Mario Draghi’s defining moment
The departing head of the European Central Bank vowed in 2012 to “do whatever it takes” to save the euro.
The President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi addresses the European Parliament in Brussels, on December 1, 2011.
Thierry Charlier/AFP/Getty Images
Mario Draghi formally steps down as head of the European Central Bank on Thursday, handing the reins to Christine Lagarde. Draghi took over in 2011, as Europe was still recovering from the global financial crisis and the eurozone was at risk of breaking up. He famously promised “to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro,” winning him fans as well as critics.