Lionel Jospin, the Socialist prime minister who governed France in uneasy partnership with a conservative president and introduced the 35-hour work week, died Sunday at 88.

His family confirmed the death Monday. Jospin had undergone a serious operation in January and returned home to rest, according to earlier statements.

A former economics professor with an elite civil service pedigree, Jospin led France from 1997 to 2002 during a rare period of ‘cohabitation’ — governing as prime minister while Jacques Chirac held the presidency. He led a broad left-wing coalition known as the ‘plural left.’

His tenure produced lasting reforms: the 35-hour work week, universal health coverage, civil unions for same-sex couples, and a parity law requiring equal numbers of male and female candidates in elections. His governing philosophy was captured in a slogan: ‘Yes to the market economy, no to a market society.’

Jospin’s political career ended in shock. Running for president in 2002, he finished third in the first round behind Chirac and far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen — eliminated by fewer than 200,000 votes. He announced his retirement that night.

‘I assume full responsibility for this defeat,’ he said.

President Emmanuel Macron praised Jospin’s ‘rigour, his courage and his ideal of progress.’ Even Marine Le Pen, the current far-right leader, called him ‘a man of integrity.’

Sources