File photo taken on June 5, 2019 shows Christine Lagarde in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

The parliament's green light is just a non-binding opinion. The final decision on Lagarde's appointment will be made by the European Council in October.

FRANKFURT, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved the recommendation of Christine Lagarde as the new head of the European Central Bank (ECB) in a plenary vote on Tuesday.

The MEPs voted 394 in favor, 206 against and 49 abstentions after a debate was held on Lagarde's suitability for the position earlier Tuesday morning.

The European Parliament gives a non-binding opinion on whether or not a candidate is suitable to fill the role of the ECB president. The final decision will be made by the European Council in October.

Lagarde, previously head of the International Monetary Fund, was nominated to replace Mario Draghi as the ECB head on Nov. 1. ■