- Lionel Jospin, the former French Prime Minister credited with introducing the 35-hour working week, has died at the age of 88.
- During his premiership from 1997 to 2002, he enacted the parity law for gender equality in elections and established civil unions for couples.
- He led a broad left-wing government in a 'cohabitation' arrangement with conservative President Jacques Chirac, notably resisting free-market reforms.
- Jospin famously stepped away from politics after a surprising third-place finish in the first round of the 2002 presidential election, losing out to far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.
- Known for his academic background and integrity, he maintained the distinctive political philosophy: 'Yes to the market economy, no to a market society.'
IN FULL
Former French prime minister and architect of 35-hour week dies
