France honored former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin in a national ceremony at Les Invalides, led by President Emmanuel Macron. Jospin, who served from 1997 to 2002, pioneered major social reforms including the 35-hour workweek and civil partnerships for gay couples.
Macron hailed Jospin’s contributions to justice and freedom, crediting him with modernizing France’s economic and social systems. Following the ceremony, Jospin was laid to rest at Montparnasse Cemetery. His tenure unified left-wing factions while advancing pragmatic policies amidst cohabitation with a center-right president.
Jospin’s death underscores deepening divisions within France’s left ahead of upcoming elections.