Europe

Europe

Lionel Jospin, former French prime minister defeated by the far right, dies at 88

23 March 2026 13:16 (UTC +04:00)

At 8 p.m. on April 21, 2002, voters learned the shock first-round results of France’s presidential election. For the first time in the Republic’s history, a far-right candidate – Jean-Marie Le Pen – would advance to the runoff, Reuters reports.

Minutes later, Lionel Jospin addressed his supporters. The leading candidate of the left, who many had believed would be the next president, said he took full responsibility for the unexpected defeat.

As cries rose from the crowd, Jospin – pale but composed – announced that he was withdrawing from political life.

The Socialist prime minister would never again hold elected office.

Asked years later about that career-ending poll, he said: "One may regret not having had the chance to prove oneself when there was a single step left to climb, and one stumbled before that step."

It was a typically restrained reflection from a politician often viewed as austere.

Jospin, who was unable ‌to convert his leadership of France’s government at the turn of the century into a winning presidential bid, has died aged 88, two sources in his Socialist party said on Monday.

The cause was not immediately known.