Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, the socialist leader who introduced France's 35-hour work week and extended free healthcare, has died at age 88, according to family statements reported Monday. Jospin reportedly died on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at his home. He had previously disclosed undergoing a "serious operation" in January and had returned home to rest.
Jospin served as France's prime minister from 1997 to 2002, leading a left-wing coalition in a cohabitation government with center-right President Jacques Chirac. During his tenure, he implemented significant social reforms including the reduction of the working week to 35 hours, the extension of universal health coverage, and the introduction of civil unions that granted equal rights to unmarried couples, including same-sex partnerships.
The former prime minister is also remembered for his dramatic defeat in the 2002 presidential election, where he was eliminated in the first round after far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen advanced to the runoff against Chirac. Jospin announced his retirement from politics on election night following what was widely regarded as a political shock. Born on July 12, 1937, in Meudon to Protestant parents, Jospin studied at elite French institutions including the Institute of Political Studies in Paris and the École Nationale d'Administration. He later served on France's Constitutional Council from 2015 to 2019.