Lionel Jospin, who served as France's Prime Minister from 1997 to 2002 during a period of cohabitation, has died at the age of 88. Jospin's political journey began unexpectedly, but he left a significant mark on French politics, particularly noted for his policy achievements such as the introduction of the 35-hour work week. His tenure symbolized a critical phase in French politics, ending dramatically on April 21, 2002, when he was surprisingly eliminated from the presidential race in the first round, failing to reach the runoff against Jean-Marie Le Pen, which shocked the left and altered the political landscape.