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BRUSSELS — A historic trade agreement linking the European Union with four South American nations will officially launch May 1, following more than 25 years of complex negotiations amid growing global economic tensions from tariffs, mineral restrictions, and ongoing conflicts in Iran.

The European Commission announced Monday that the EU-Mercosur trade pact received its final approval after Brussels received formal notification from Paraguay confirming the country’s ratification. This agreement represents a cornerstone of the 27-member EU’s broader strategy to reduce economic reliance on China and the United States.

Legislative bodies in Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina have all given their approval to the arrangement, which encompasses over 700 million people and represents 25% of worldwide economic output. Bolivia, which recently joined Mercosur, was not part of the original negotiations but may participate in the agreement in future years.

“The priority now is turning this EU-Mercosur agreement into concrete outcomes, giving EU exporters the platform they need to seize new opportunities for trade, growth and jobs,” said European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

Strong resistance from agricultural groups and environmental advocates caused significant delays to the agreement in December. Additional complications arose when EU legislators voted to refer the deal to the bloc’s legal system for review. The EU’s executive branch responded by deciding to implement the agreement on a temporary basis, essentially bypassing the European Parliament.

This approach means commercial activity will commence in May and will only cease if the European Court of Justice issues an unfavorable ruling.

French President Emmanuel Macron described this strategy as “a bad surprise.” France and Poland had spearheaded efforts to block or modify the agreement with additional protections for consumers and farming interests.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has dismissed such objections to an agreement she characterizes as essential for the EU’s future in an increasingly unstable global environment.

“This is about resilience, this is about growth, and Europe shaping its own future,” she told a news conference in February. Recently, she has not taken questions about the issue.

Von der Leyen is currently visiting Australia this week for discussions regarding a possible trade agreement, defense collaboration, and critical mineral supply arrangements.

ROME – Initial polling results from Monday indicate that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration has suffered a close defeat in a crucial referendum regarding judicial system reforms, potentially weakening her governing alliance before next year’s national elections.

Multiple polling organizations, including SWG and Opinio, reported after the March 22-23 voting period that opposition forces supporting the “No” position captured between 49% and 53% of votes, while the administration’s “Yes” supporters received 47% to 51%. YouTrend polling also showed the “No” side leading.

Voter participation exceeded projections and came after a contentious campaign period that exposed significant hostility between Italy’s conservative governing alliance and the country’s judicial branch, creating divisions that may have long-term consequences.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Monday that diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran have produced significant common ground between the two nations.

Speaking to reporters, Trump revealed that negotiations held on Sunday were set to resume Monday, expressing optimism that a diplomatic agreement could be reached quickly if discussions remain productive.

The president disclosed that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner conducted the diplomatic discussions with Iranian representatives.

Trump also revealed he had issued orders to delay planned military strikes targeting Iranian power facilities for a five-day period, just hours before a deadline that could have intensified the ongoing conflict, which has now entered its fourth week.

Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has made the boldest territorial claim yet by a senior Israeli official, demanding that his country’s northern boundary be pushed deep into Lebanon to reach the Litani River, as military forces continue their devastating campaign across southern Lebanon.

Speaking on an Israeli radio show Monday, Smotrich delivered what represents the most direct statement from a high-ranking Israeli leader about capturing Lebanese land during the ongoing conflict with Iran-supported Hezbollah forces.

The regional conflict expanded on March 2 when Hezbollah launched missile attacks against Israel. In response, Israeli forces have commanded all civilians to evacuate areas south of the Litani River while conducting relentless aerial bombardments against what they consider Hezbollah’s primary operational zone.

According to Lebanese officials, Israel’s combined air and ground operations have resulted in more than 1,000 deaths, while displacing over one million residents as Israel has demanded mass evacuations across large portions of the nation.

During his radio appearance, Smotrich stated that the Lebanese military operation “needs to end with a different reality entirely, both with the Hezbollah decision but also with the change of Israel’s borders.”

“I say here definitively…in every room and in every discussion, too: the new Israeli border must be the Litani,” Smotrich declared.

As head of a small far-right faction within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, Smotrich frequently voices positions that exceed Israel’s stated policies. Netanyahu’s administration has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these territorial demands. However, Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested similar intentions earlier this month, warning Lebanon could experience “loss of territory” unless it dismantles Hezbollah.

These territorial statements carry particular weight in Lebanon, a nation struggling to break free from decades of invasions and occupations by its southern neighbor. Israeli military forces have conducted multiple assaults on Lebanon beginning in 1978 and maintained control over the south from 1982 through 2000.

A Lebanese government representative informed Reuters that Beirut continues hoping international allies will apply sufficient pressure on Israel to halt the warfare, potentially through President Joseph Aoun’s proposal for direct negotiations.

Beyond Lebanon, Smotrich has also advocated for Israeli annexation of Gaza Strip territory currently under Israeli control, extending to the armistice boundary with Hamas. An October ceasefire agreement left Israel controlling 53% of Gaza, where authorities have ordered resident evacuations and demolished structures.

Israeli military officials describe their Lebanese operations as focused ground movements and precision strikes targeting Hezbollah fighters and weapon storage facilities, designed to safeguard northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah attacks.

Lebanon’s government has prohibited Hezbollah military operations and expressed interest in pursuing direct negotiations with Israel.

Throughout the weekend, Israel destroyed a major bridge connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the country after directing its military to eliminate all Litani River crossings and intensify the destruction of homes near the southern frontier.

International legal standards typically forbid military forces from targeting civilian infrastructure, and United Nations human rights leadership has condemned Israel’s Lebanese actions, particularly its extensive evacuation directives.

Monday brought additional Israeli strikes against two more Litani River crossings — targeting a roadway near the main bridge hit Sunday and another smaller bridge elsewhere along the river.

Hanna Amil, mayor of the Christian border community Rmeish where residents have declined to abandon their homes, described increasingly challenging conditions to Reuters.

“Once or twice a week, a convoy from the Lebanese army accompanies us as we try to get basic goods from nearby areas,” Amil explained.

“Already, we have no state electricity, no water and we have diesel shortages. If all the routes to the north get cut off, who knows what the future could hold for us,” the mayor added.

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Authorities in Zimbabwe have arrested the most prominent critic of proposed constitutional changes designed to extend the presidency of 83-year-old leader Emmerson Mnangagwa beyond his current term limit. Former finance minister Tendai Biti was scheduled to face court proceedings on Monday.

The arrest represents the most significant detention to date among those opposing efforts to allow Mnangagwa to remain in power past 2028, when his current term is set to conclude, for an additional two years. Law enforcement officials have increasingly prohibited gatherings and detained individuals attempting to voice their opposition to the proposed amendments in recent months.

Biti serves as the leader of the Constitutional Defenders Forum, an organization actively campaigning against the constitutional modifications. According to CDF spokesperson Jacob Rukweza, both Biti and the group’s programs director Morgan Ncube face charges of conducting a public gathering without proper police notification. The pair were taken into custody Saturday in Mutare, located in the country’s eastern region.

Zimbabwean officials have not provided any statement regarding the arrests. However, government representatives have previously dismissed claims that they are undermining democratic reform commitments established following the end of Robert Mugabe’s lengthy reign.

Mnangagwa assumed leadership following a widely-supported military intervention that removed Mugabe from power in 2017. He has publicly stated his intention to leave office at the conclusion of his second term in 2028.

Despite these statements, Mnangagwa has not publicly challenged his ruling ZANU-PF party’s efforts to extend his tenure. His administration endorsed the amendment proposal in February before forwarding it to Parliament, where the governing party maintains majority control.

The suggested constitutional modifications would delay upcoming elections until 2030, transfer presidential selection from direct public voting to parliamentary appointment, and increase both presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years.

Biti and fellow critics argue that any constitutional change extending presidential terms requires voter approval through a referendum. However, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and Mnangagwa allies contend that Parliament can enact these changes without public consultation since the two-term restriction would remain intact, despite longer individual terms.

Resistance to the amendments has intensified, with legal challenges submitted to various courts. Nevertheless, organizing physical opposition gatherings has become increasingly dangerous. Amnesty International has characterized the recent arrests as part of an “escalating crackdown on peaceful dissent.”

Earlier this month, law professor and opposition leader Lovemore Madhuku required hospitalization after being assaulted by unidentified attackers he identified as police officers following a political meeting discussing the proposed amendments. Police officials denied any involvement and stated the gathering had been prohibited.

In the previous year, the offices of SAPES Trust, a research organization, were destroyed by fire just hours before the group planned to host a press conference featuring amendment opponents.

Mnangagwa secured reelection in a contested 2023 vote, though international human rights organizations documented systematic suppression of opposition politicians and their supporters by the ruling party.

Authorities in Hong Kong have been granted expanded powers allowing them to compel individuals suspected of violating national security laws to surrender passwords for mobile devices and computers, marking another step in the territory’s ongoing restrictions on opposition activities.

Those who refuse to cooperate face imprisonment of up to one year along with fines reaching HK$100,000 ($12,773), while individuals who provide false or deceptive information could receive three-year prison sentences and penalties up to HK$500,000.

Hong Kong’s administration officially published these new modifications to the national security law’s enforcement regulations on Monday, utilizing authority that circumvents the territory’s legislative body. The comprehensive security legislation was implemented by Beijing in 2020.

Government officials are scheduled to inform legislators about these changes on Tuesday, according to an official announcement.

The broad-reaching legislation imposes penalties for various offenses, including undermining state authority and collaborating with international entities, carrying potential life sentences.

While the law drew condemnation from Western nations and human rights organizations, authorities in both Beijing and Hong Kong defended its necessity for restoring order following extensive pro-democracy demonstrations that disrupted the city throughout 2019.

Under the updated regulations, law enforcement officers can require individuals under investigation for potential national security violations to supply passwords or decryption keys for electronic equipment and offer police “any reasonable and necessary information or assistance.”

The modifications also grant customs officials authority to confiscate materials considered to contain “seditious intention,” even without arrests being made in connection with national security violations related to those items.

Urania Chiu, a legal academic in the United Kingdom who studies Hong Kong affairs, criticized the new measures as interfering with basic freedoms, including communication privacy and fair trial rights.

“The sweeping powers given to law enforcement officers without any need for judicial authorisation are grossly disproportionate to any legitimate aim the bylaw purports to achieve,” Chiu stated.

A representative for Hong Kong’s government maintained that the revised regulations comply with the territory’s constitutional framework, known as the Basic Law, and its human rights protections, adding they “will not affect the lives of the general public or the normal operation of institutions and organisations.”

The Security Bureau reports that 386 individuals have been detained for national security violations to date, with 176 people and four corporations receiving convictions.

Media executive Jimmy Lai received a 20-year prison sentence in February for collaborating with foreign entities and sedition, drawing international condemnation.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli military forces successfully exploited Iran’s comprehensive street surveillance system to locate and eliminate the nation’s supreme leader, demonstrating how modern warfare increasingly targets digital infrastructure originally built for domestic control.

Across the globe, hundreds of millions of surveillance devices monitor storefronts, residential areas, and public spaces, with many connected to internet networks lacking adequate security measures. Military and intelligence organizations now leverage artificial intelligence breakthroughs to analyze massive volumes of surveillance data and locate specific targets.

Israeli operations on February 28 showcased the devastating potential when adversaries compromise such networks, successfully tracking Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei using Tehran’s own monitoring equipment — this despite multiple prior alerts about security breaches in Iran’s surveillance infrastructure, based on interviews and Associated Press analysis of leaked intelligence, official statements, and media coverage.

Two intelligence sources familiar with the mission described to AP how compromised surveillance cameras contributed to the operation that resulted in Khamenei’s death. Both sources requested anonymity as they lacked authorization for media interviews.

Iranian authorities deployed thousands of monitoring devices throughout their capital following successive protest movements, including massive January demonstrations that concluded with violent government suppression resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

The compromise of Tehran’s camera systems was widely acknowledged: hackers had repeatedly breached the city’s surveillance network beginning in 2021, and the previous year, a prominent Iranian official publicly acknowledged Israeli infiltration of the camera system, calling it a threat to national security.

Conor Healy, research director at surveillance publication IPVM, noted that Khamenei’s assassination reveals a critical security paradox facing governments attempting to suppress opposition movements.

“The infrastructure authoritarian states build to make their rule unassailable may be what makes their leaders most visible to the people trying to kill them,” Healy said. “Do you trust who is watching?”

Cybersecurity professionals have long cautioned about cameras becoming warfare tools.

Security engineer Paul Marrapese discovered in 2019 that he could breach millions of camera systems from his California home office.

Despite his continued warnings, vulnerable camera installations keep expanding. Recent scans revealed nearly three million unprotected camera feeds globally, including approximately 2,000 Iranian devices, Marrapese informed AP.

“There are millions and millions and millions of these throughout the world,” Marrapese said. Many remain extremely vulnerable to attack: “They’re just dumb little things. … It’s fish in a barrel.”

Manufacturers market internet-connected cameras accessible through mobile devices, with feeds easily redirected by malicious actors. Many installations lack proper security protocols, with unsophisticated users failing to establish passwords or apply security updates. While camera protection requires ongoing attention, successful hacking needs only one weakness, such as outdated systems or simple passwords like “1234.”

Even government surveillance networks isolated from public internet remain at risk: a single insider with malicious intent can compromise entire systems.

“Humans are kind of the weakest link,” Marrapese said. “There’s really only so much you can do.”

Eyal Hulata, Israel’s former national security adviser now with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, confirmed Israel faces constant Iranian cyberattacks but maintains effective defenses.

“There is high alert on all cyber fronts,” he said.

Military camera hacking remained largely theoretical until 2023, when Hamas compromised southern Israeli surveillance systems before their October 7 assault, enabling monitoring of Israeli military patrols and facilitating their attack, according to Israeli media reports. That year also saw Ukrainian officials report Russian attempts to hijack cameras near missile targets, continuing into 2024 with Russians breaching Kyiv cameras and border crossing surveillance systems.

Artificial intelligence advances now enable military forces to overcome a major obstacle in weaponizing stolen footage: processing enormous video volumes to identify individuals, vehicles, and targets — work that previously required analyst teams working for weeks or months but now occurs instantly. Simple keyword searches allow AI systems to scan feeds and deliver immediate results.

“It used to be that you could hack the cameras, but humans had to do the real work of figuring out where the person was,” said cryptographer and security expert Bruce Schneier. “With AI systems … you can do a lot more automatically.”

Iranian cameras have faced repeated breaches in recent years.

In 2021, an Iranian exile organization released footage showing abuses at Tehran’s infamous Evin prison. The following year, another group claimed responsibility for hacking over 5,000 Tehran cameras, releasing gigabytes of surveillance material and internal documents through a Telegram channel.

During a 12-day conflict last summer, Israel utilized Tehran’s camera network to locate and bomb an Iranian Supreme National Security Council meeting, wounding Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Iranian legislators and Israeli documentary evidence.

“All the cameras at our intersections are in the hands of Israel,” Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chairman of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, told Iranian media in September. “Everything on the internet is in their hands … if we move, they will find out.”

These security weaknesses emerged as Iran expanded surveillance camera usage following nationwide protests. Metro system cameras, for instance, detect women not wearing mandatory hijabs, using facial recognition technology to identify violators.

However, data gathered for government control creates attractive targets for hackers, said researcher Michael Caster, who studied Chinese surveillance technology sales to Iran.

“Malicious parties can more easily gain access,” Caster said.

Iran, facing long-term Western sanctions, struggles to obtain current hardware and software, frequently depending on Chinese-manufactured electronics or legacy systems. Pirated Windows and other software versions are widespread, making the country more vulnerable to potential hackers.

The Financial Times previously reported camera usage in Khamenei’s assassination.

The operation source who spoke with AP revealed that Israeli forces had compromised nearly all Tehran traffic cameras for years, transferring information to Israeli servers. At least one camera angle enabled Israel to monitor daily routines of individuals, including parking locations near Iran’s leadership facilities, both sources confirmed.

Algorithmic analysis provided intelligence including residential addresses, commuting routes, and security details, according to the briefed source. The same individual said the attack required months of planning, but execution accelerated once intelligence confirmed Khamenei and senior officials would be at the leadership compound that morning.

Israel’s prime minister’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Colonel Amit Assa, former Israeli Shin Bet domestic security official, explained that such operations rely on multiple intelligence sources, including undercover operatives and intercepted communications.

However, Assa emphasized cameras play crucial roles by enabling intelligence officers to identify individuals, providing essential confirmation for strike decisions.

When officers observe a person’s face on command center screens, it assists in deciding to “put your finger on the yellow button, as we say,” he said.

Check Point Research, a cyber threat intelligence organization, reports Iranian camera hacking attacks have increased since the war began, with activity surges in Israel and Gulf nations including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Such breaches could help Iran monitor targets and evaluate damage following missile attacks, according to Gil Messing, Check Point Research’s chief of staff.

“The more people are installing cameras … the more area is being covered by these cameras,” Messing said. “It is very easy to use in order to get extra eyes into different places.”

Analysts estimate over one billion security cameras operate worldwide, triple the number from ten years ago. Hundreds of millions more are installed annually.

Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor in security studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, noted that wealthy Gulf nations like Qatar have long secured their petroleum facilities against wartime targeting. However, officials only recently recognized that street cameras could also become weapons.

“I don’t think anyone anticipated that these traffic cameras would become targeting tools … there is alarm all over,” Seloom said. “How come Iran’s whole leadership has been decapitated on the first day? … It is a topic that is being talked about.”

Regional governments maintain heightened vigilance.

Gulf monarchies have prohibited residents from recording or livestreaming Iranian strike footage, with the UAE arresting dozens for sharing conflict videos online. While partly protecting national reputation, these restrictions also reflect concerns about Iranian military exploitation of such material, Seloom explained.

Earlier this month, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate announced warnings to hundreds of camera owners targeted by Iran, urging password changes and software updates to prevent attacks.

Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, described the increased hacking since the war began as “a wake-up call,” though acknowledging limited solutions for addressing vulnerabilities.

“It’s a whack-a-mole,” Vaez said.

SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, declared Monday that any potential meeting between her brother and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is impossible unless Japan abandons what she termed outdated policies.

Her remarks followed Takaichi’s recent comments to the press about her discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where she expressed having “a very strong desire” to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Kim Jong Un.

“But this is not the one that comes true, as wanted or decided by Japan,” Kim Yo Jong stated. “In order for the top leaders of the two countries to meet each other, Japan should first be determined to break with its anachronistic practice and habit.”

While Kim Yo Jong, who holds a high-ranking position in the regime, didn’t specify exactly what Japan’s outdated practices entail, she previously indicated in 2024 that North Korea would only consider diplomatic meetings if Japan accepted the country’s nuclear weapons development and stopped pursuing the issue of kidnapped Japanese citizens. That proposed meeting never took place.

In Monday’s statement released through North Korean state media, Kim Yo Jong declared: “I don’t want to see the prime minister of Japan coming to Pyongyang.” However, she characterized her opposition as “just my personal position,” which analysts interpret as an attempt to pressure Japan into making diplomatic concessions.

Experts believe North Korea seeks improved relations with Japan as a strategy to create division between the United States and its regional partners. Japan, meanwhile, remains focused on resolving the cases of its citizens who were kidnapped by North Korean operatives during the 1970s and 1980s.

Following years of denying involvement, North Korea admitted during a 2002 meeting between Kim Jong Il, the current leader’s deceased father, and former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that its agents had abducted 13 Japanese citizens. The regime permitted five of those individuals to return to Japan. Japanese officials maintain that additional people may have been taken and some could remain alive.

Koizumi traveled to North Korea a second time in 2004 for another meeting with Kim Jong Il, marking the final diplomatic talks between the two nations.

The prospects for a North Korea-Japan summit appear unlikely given that North Korea has avoided diplomatic engagement with both the United States and South Korea since 2019. While Trump, who conducted three meetings with Kim Jong Un from 2018 to 2019, has repeatedly stated his intention to restart negotiations with Kim, the North Korean leader has suggested he would only resume discussions if the U.S. abandons “its delusional obsession with denuclearization” of North Korea.

According to Takaichi, Trump voiced his support for quickly resolving the abduction cases and indicated he would “provide cooperation in various ways” regarding potential meetings with Kim Jong Un.

BERLIN – Following what party officials described as a devastating electoral defeat over the weekend, Germany’s Social Democratic Party leadership announced Monday they will prioritize policy changes over leadership restructuring.

The SPD suffered a major blow in Rhineland-Palatinate’s state election, losing control of a region they had governed for three and a half decades. This marks the second significant electoral setback in a series of five state contests that Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government faces this year.

The victory provided a political boost for Merz’s Christian Democratic party while further undermining his coalition partner’s position and threatening governmental stability.

SPD co-leaders Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Labour Minister Baerbel Bas acknowledged the need for serious discussions within party leadership regarding accountability for the loss. However, they emphasized that Germany’s current challenges require immediate attention to policy matters rather than internal restructuring.

“The situation facing Germany was too serious for ‘self-lacerating’ internal debates about personnel issues while a major package of reforms had to be agreed with their coalition partners,” the leaders stated, stressing the importance of advancing promised tax and social welfare changes.

This electoral defeat compounds problems stemming from an equally disappointing result in Baden-Wuerttemberg on March 8, intensifying the crisis that has plagued the SPD since their coalition government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed in 2024.

Current polling data shows the party trailing behind the far-right Alternative for Germany nationally, increasing pressure on party leadership, though no serious internal challengers have emerged.

Describing the Rhineland-Palatinate outcome as devastating, Klingbeil explained that party executives unanimously agreed their response should focus on “setting a clear programmatic and strategic course” rather than changing personnel.

Party leadership plans to convene Friday with SPD ministers, state governors, and senior officials to develop a comprehensive reform package for subsequent negotiations with coalition partners.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has initiated an investigation into allegations that his foreign minister was under surveillance amid reports of secret communications with Russian officials.

The controversy erupted following a Washington Post report claiming that Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto regularly contacted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during European Union meetings to share confidential discussions.

“We are dealing with two serious issues: there is evidence that Hungary’s Foreign Minister was wiretapped, and we also have indications of who may be behind it. This must be investigated immediately,” Orban posted on social media Monday.

The timing proves particularly challenging for Orban, who is facing his most difficult reelection campaign since taking office in 2010. With Hungary’s April 12 election approaching, polls show the center-right opposition Tisza party holding a significant lead.

According to the Washington Post report, which cited a European security official, Szijjarto allegedly provided Lavrov with “live reports on what’s been discussed” during breaks in EU meetings over several years.

Szijjarto quickly rejected these claims, calling the report “fake news” on Sunday.

The situation intensified when Hungarian conservative publication Mandiner released audio recordings featuring investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi discussing how he provided Szijjarto’s phone numbers to “a state organ of an EU country” for verification purposes.

Panyi acknowledged the conversation’s authenticity on Facebook, explaining he was cross-referencing the numbers with intelligence from a European security service while investigating potential information sharing between Szijjarto and Russia.

Speaking to Reuters, Panyi accused the government of employing intelligence tactics to expose his source communications while he investigated sensitive matters.

Szijjarto expressed outrage over the Mandiner revelations, describing them as “shocking.”

“It is astonishing that with the active cooperation of a Hungarian journalist one or more foreign intelligence services have wiretapped me,” Szijjarto stated in a Facebook video.

The foreign minister has maintained regular contact with Moscow since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including a March 4 meeting with President Vladimir Putin to discuss oil supply arrangements.

Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Orban has preserved close relationships with Putin and continued Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy resources. Last week, citing disagreements with Kyiv over a damaged oil pipeline, Orban prevented the European Union from implementing a loan package for Ukraine that was approved in December.

Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, the Socialist leader who introduced France’s 35-hour work week and championed progressive social policies, has passed away at the age of 88.

Current Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced Jospin’s death, which occurred on Sunday according to family sources reported by Agence France-Presse.

In a statement posted on X, Lecornu praised Jospin’s legacy, saying he “served France with constancy, rigor and a sense of responsibility” and that “his actions, guided by a certain vision of social progress and republican values, leave a lasting mark and a model of commitment.”

With his distinctive white curly hair and thick glasses, Jospin maintained the scholarly appearance of the economics professor he had been before François Mitterrand unexpectedly appointed him to lead the Socialist Party in 1981.

Following corruption scandals that devastated the Socialists in the 1993 parliamentary elections, Jospin helped restore the party’s reputation, remaining free from the bribery and fraud allegations that had tainted other leaders.

From 1997 to 2002, Jospin served as prime minister under conservative President Jacques Chirac in an unusual power-sharing arrangement known as “cohabitation,” heading a coalition of left-wing parties.

During his tenure, Jospin rejected the free-market reforms that were gaining popularity in Britain and other nations, instead pursuing distinctly leftist policies.

His major accomplishments included implementing France’s gender parity law requiring equal numbers of male and female candidates in national elections, establishing civil unions for both same-sex and heterosexual couples, and reducing the standard work week from 39 to 35 hours—a change celebrated by labor advocates but denounced by business leaders as economically harmful.

Despite his political success, Jospin struggled with public appearances, his naturally reserved demeanor becoming even more rigid when facing television cameras.

His political career ended abruptly following a devastating defeat in the 2002 presidential election’s first round, where he unexpectedly lost to far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen.

In that shocking result, Le Pen narrowly edged out Jospin for second place by fewer than 200,000 votes, both receiving over 16% of the total. This allowed Le Pen, the anti-immigration National Front founder, to advance to the runoff against incumbent Chirac, delivering a major blow to mainstream French politics.

French voters ultimately united behind Chirac in the second round to prevent Le Pen from reaching the Élysée Palace, giving Chirac a decisive victory.

Born on July 12, 1937, Jospin came into the world under unusual circumstances—his midwife mother reportedly elevated her pelvis using volumes of Voltaire’s writings during labor.

“She believed I would have the spirit of Voltaire,” Jospin once recalled.

His formative years in Nazi-occupied Paris left a lasting impression on his personality and political approach.

“I have the memory of the importance of silence. If you weren’t quiet, you ran the risk of putting people in danger. Certainly in political life I’ve retained a certain horror of talkativeness,” he reflected.

Raised in a Protestant household, Jospin attended the elite École d’Administration Nationale, which has produced numerous French political leaders and intellectuals.

The leftist student movements of 1968 drew him into politics, and after initially associating with Trotskyist groups, he eventually joined the Socialist Party.

Throughout his career, even as his views evolved, Jospin maintained his skepticism of unchecked capitalism, frequently repeating his signature slogan: “Yes to the market economy, no to a market society.”

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Following a razor-thin electoral outcome that left no party with a governing majority, Slovenia’s president called Monday for immediate coalition discussions among the nation’s political parties.

According to preliminary tallies covering 99.85% of ballots, Prime Minister Robert Golob’s liberal Freedom Movement secured 29 seats in the 90-member parliament, while the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) captured 28 seats — a margin of victory of less than one percent.

The narrow results mean neither major party can govern alone, leaving smaller parties to play the decisive role in determining Slovenia’s next government. The potential shape of future political alliances remains unclear.

President Natasa Pirc Musar took to social media platform X to encourage rapid negotiations, stating “I urge them to sit down at the negotiating table as soon as possible.” She offered congratulations to what she termed the “relative winner” — Golob’s pro-European Union Freedom Movement.

Sunday’s election was viewed as a critical moment for determining whether this EU member nation would continue its liberal trajectory or shift rightward. The inconclusive results highlight the sharp political divide among Slovenia’s 1.7 million registered voters.

Under Golob’s leadership, the current administration has championed liberal policies within the 27-member European Union. In contrast, SDS leader Janez Jansa represents a populist approach and maintains close ties with Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. A Jansa victory would strengthen Europe’s right-wing political movements.

Despite the narrow victory, Golob expressed optimism about forming the next administration while recognizing that “tough negotiations” await his party.

Jansa, known for his admiration of U.S. President Donald Trump, indicated his party’s reluctance to participate in what he considers an unstable coalition. He warned that the current “balance of political powers … based on what we see now, will not provide much stability.”

The election followed an intense campaign marked by accusations of foreign meddling and corruption scandals, intensifying existing tensions between the competing political factions.

Since gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia has regularly alternated between right-wing and left-leaning governments. The mountainous country of 2 million citizens joined both NATO and the European Union in 2004.

A frontrunner in West Africa’s upcoming presidential election has announced plans to establish local police units in northern border communities to combat escalating extremist violence.

Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, who serves as the ruling party’s candidate for Benin’s April 12 presidential election, outlined his security strategy while presenting his campaign platform. Wadagni has held his current cabinet position under President Patrice Talon’s administration since 2016.

The proposed municipal police forces would operate in northern border communities, where extremist groups have intensified their operations. Wadagni emphasized that Benin has “no choice” but to collaborate with neighboring nations to tackle these security threats, as militants from the Sahel region escalate attacks along the borders shared by Niger, Benin, and Nigeria.

While Benin already maintains both national Republican Police units and military personnel in the northern region, Wadagni did not provide specific numbers for the proposed municipal officers or detail the program’s anticipated costs.

“The goal will be to ensure that young people, in their own environment, are trained, equipped, and given the opportunity to defend their homes, their families, their siblings, and their surroundings,” he said.

Northern security concerns represent a major challenge awaiting Wadagni if he succeeds Talon, who has focused on comprehensive economic reforms while working to enhance Benin’s tourism sector.

Although Benin typically maintains silence regarding extremist violence in its northern territories, officials confirmed last April that al Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin conducted an assault that resulted in 54 military fatalities. A more recent attack this month claimed 15 soldiers’ lives and injured five others at a northern military installation.

The deteriorating security situation sparked a failed military coup attempt against Talon in December, with discontented soldiers citing worsening northern security conditions “coupled with the disregard and neglect of our fallen brothers-in-arms.”

Regional partners, including Nigeria, assisted in preventing the coup attempt.

MOSCOW – Russian officials issued stern warnings Monday regarding recent military strikes conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces in the vicinity of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility, calling the attacks extremely hazardous.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow has communicated its concerns directly to Washington about the potentially devastating impact of such operations.

Peskov emphasized that these military actions could result in devastating and permanent damage.

“We believe that strikes on nuclear facilities are potentially extremely dangerous. (…) Therefore, the Russian side, taking an extremely responsible stance on this issue, has repeatedly voiced its concerns,” Peskov stated during Monday’s briefing.

The Russian official indicated that the Iranian conflict situation “as recently as yesterday” required immediate transition to diplomatic negotiations rather than military action.

“This is the only thing that can effectively help defuse the catastrophically tense situation that has now developed in the region,” he added.

According to Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company, a military strike occurred on March 17th targeting an area “on the territory adjacent to the building of the metrological service, located on the site of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in close proximity to the operating power unit.”

Moscow denounced the attack on the nuclear facility grounds and urged all parties to reduce tensions surrounding the strategic installation.

PARIS – Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, who led the Socialist government from 1997 to 2002, has passed away on March 23rd, prompting an outpouring of condolences from political leaders across France.

French President Emmanuel Macron honored Jospin’s distinguished career on social media, describing him as a major force in French governance who held numerous key positions including Socialist Party leader under François Mitterrand, education minister, prime minister, and Constitutional Council member. “Through his rigour, his courage and his commitment to progress, he embodied a noble vision of the Republic,” Macron stated.

Current Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu praised Jospin’s dedication to the nation, writing that “He served France with steadfastness, high standards and a strong sense of responsibility.” Lecornu added that Jospin’s contributions, “guided by a vision of social progress and Republican values, has left a lasting legacy and stands as a model of dedication. France has today lost a faithful public servant, whose name will forever be associated with the State.”

Even political opponents acknowledged Jospin’s character. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, while noting their policy disagreements during his tenure, called him “a man of integrity on the left, the only one who had the courage, in the aftermath of the 2002 presidential election, to denounce the shameless lie of the fascist threat that was being frantically stirred up by both the right and the left between the two rounds.”

National Rally party chief Jordan Bardella remembered Jospin as “a leading figure of the Fifth Republic and, despite our differences, as an honest man of the left.”

Former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who worked with Jospin personally, highlighted his lasting influence on French politics through “his dedication, his rigour and his sense of public duty, qualities I was able to appreciate first-hand whilst working alongside him.”

Hard-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon, who served under Jospin as vocational education minister, called him “a paragon of high standards and hard work.” Melenchon credited Jospin with implementing the 35-hour work week and maintaining “his refusal to move the retirement age,” adding that Jospin represented “an intellectual presence in a world that was drifting off course.”

National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet emphasized Jospin’s concrete achievements, noting how “he transformed the daily lives of the French people: universal healthcare, gender parity, youth employment schemes, and civil partnerships.” She praised his reputation for “integrity and his sense of public duty: rigour and respect for institutions.”

Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Jospin as embodying “a left-wing movement that was demanding, principled and Republican.” Faure emphasized that Jospin “had succeeded in leading the pluralist left to victory” and called for a national tribute, stating that Jospin’s career “serves as a reminder that it is possible to govern without pandering to the prevailing trends.”

Segolene Royal, the 2007 Socialist presidential candidate who served in Jospin’s cabinet, mourned the passing of “a political ideal of rare integrity, guided by an unwavering moral compass.” Royal noted that with Jospin’s death, “a certain vision of politics is leaving us — one that respects debate and is committed to sound decision-making, without insults or fury.”

Former Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve described Jospin as “a respected statesman” whose “integrity, his sense of responsibility and his loyalty to the values of socialism and the left made him a guiding light for all those who believed in social progress.”

Hubert Vedrine, who served as Jospin’s foreign minister, told Le Monde newspaper that Jospin “was an extraordinary prime minister” with “a remarkable way of exercising authority, as he was both a great teacher and very precise.” Vedrine defended Jospin against critics, explaining that while some viewed his management style as micromanagement, “in reality he was very respectful of the necessary authority of each of his ministers, whilst himself being very clear in his ability to articulate where he wanted to go and to explain his decisions.”

LONDON, March 23 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that security evaluations show no indication that Iran is directing attacks toward mainland Britain.

“We carry out assessments all the time in order to keep us safe, and there’s no assessment that we’re being targeted in that way,” Starmer told reporters.

The Prime Minister’s statement came in response to questions about potential Iranian threats to Britain following weekend news reports indicating Iran had launched two ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military installation located in the Indian Ocean.

Starmer additionally stated that any efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would require thoughtful analysis and a workable strategy. He emphasized that protecting British interests and reducing tensions remain his top priority.

Iranian authorities announced Monday they are moving forward with punishments for individuals detained during widespread anti-government demonstrations that swept the nation in January.

Hamzeh Khalili, the first deputy Chief of the Judiciary, confirmed that legal proceedings against those arrested have concluded, with final judgments now being carried out across the country.

The January uprising represented one of the most significant challenges to government authority in Iran’s recent history, prompting what analysts describe as the most severe government response since the Islamic Republic’s establishment.

“The cases of January terrorist elements and rioters have been processed. Some have led to final verdicts being issued and are now being implemented. Some cases have already been implemented in the past few days, which will be reported. No leniency will be applied to the convicts in these cases,” Khalili stated to Mizan, the judiciary’s official news platform.

The announcement follows last week’s execution of three men found guilty of killing two police officers during the January unrest. Human rights organizations, including Hengaw, have expressed alarm over what they characterize as an escalation in state executions targeting political prisoners and demonstration participants, occurring as Iran faces increased military and diplomatic pressure internationally.

Khalili further declared the judicial system would show no compassion toward individuals he described as “infiltrators, mercenaries, traitors who cooperate with the enemy,” noting that hundreds more arrests have occurred throughout March amid ongoing tensions with Israel and the United States.

Flooding has claimed the lives of five people in Oman during the last 24 hours, with emergency officials reporting that rushing waters carried away multiple vehicles on Monday.

According to Oman’s Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, rescue teams saved seven individuals after floodwaters swept a vehicle containing 10 people into a wadi in the Wilayat of Barka region. The remaining three passengers were discovered deceased.

A second tragedy occurred in the Wilayat of Al-Maabilah area, where two residents perished when their car was overtaken by floodwaters in another wadi. Emergency responders later retrieved both bodies.

Officials reported that intense rainfall across portions of the nation led to these fatal incidents.

The Gulf nation has faced similar devastating flood events in recent years. In April 2024, sudden flooding resulted in at least 20 fatalities and submerged extensive regions of the country.

A British citizen imprisoned in Iran has made a desperate plea to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling on him to publicly defend the man and his wife against espionage allegations they strongly deny.

Craig Foreman and his wife Lindsay are currently serving 10-year prison sentences after Iranian authorities convicted them in February on charges of spying for Britain and Israel. Both have consistently maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal.

From his cell in Tehran’s Evin prison, Foreman recorded an audio message that was obtained by Reuters, describing their current situation as living in “a war zone” while criticizing the British government for not doing enough to prove their innocence.

The imprisoned man expressed feeling “let down, alone and completely frustrated by the lack of public defence by the people in charge of the government.”

“You know we are innocent. Go public with the information you have to clearly step up, step out of the shadows and help us. Our lives are constantly at risk,” Foreman stated in his message.

The couple’s fears have intensified as Tehran faces ongoing military strikes from U.S. and Israeli forces. Earlier this month, an explosion near Evin prison shattered windows and forced inmates to take cover under their beds for protection.

According to Foreman, British officials have provided “zero information” about emergency procedures should their dangerous situation worsen further.

The UK’s foreign ministry has previously condemned the prison sentences as “totally unjustifiable” and stated that protecting British citizens detained in Iran remains a top government priority.

Last Friday, officials promised to maintain pressure on Iranian authorities for the couple’s freedom, though the ministry declined to comment when contacted Monday about Foreman’s latest appeal.

Lionel Jospin, the former French Socialist prime minister whose political career ended with a stunning upset loss to a far-right candidate in 2002, has passed away at age 88, according to sources within his Socialist party who confirmed his death Monday.

The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Jospin’s political downfall came on the evening of April 21, 2002, when French voters received shocking results from the first round of the presidential election. Jean-Marie Le Pen, representing the far-right, had secured enough votes to advance to the runoff – marking the first time in French Republic history that such a candidate reached the final round.

Shortly after the results were announced, Jospin spoke to his stunned supporters. The leftist leader, who had been widely expected to become the next president, accepted complete responsibility for the surprising loss. Standing before a crowd of crying supporters, a visibly shaken but controlled Jospin declared his retirement from political life.

The Socialist leader would never again seek elected office.

Reflecting on that devastating election years afterward, he remarked: “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.”

This measured response exemplified the reserved nature of a politician many considered stern and distant.

PROGRESSIVE POLICIES WITH FISCAL DISCIPLINE

During his tenure as prime minister between 1997 and 2002, Jospin implemented significant social reforms. He reduced the standard work week, expanded free medical care, and established civil unions that granted unmarried couples – both heterosexual and same-sex – the same legal rights as married couples.

While championing progressive causes, he also maintained fiscal discipline and privatized more government-owned enterprises than any previous leader. His governing philosophy was captured in his motto: “Yes to the market economy, no to a market society.”

Le Monde newspaper’s editor-in-chief wrote on April 22, 2002: “For a time, Lionel Jospin was able to revive reformist politics which, after so many years of crisis, reconciled economic progress with social progress.”

Despite his accomplishments, the bespectacled politician with white hair never connected deeply with French voters. His serious demeanor and marriage to philosopher Sylviane Agacinski reinforced perceptions of a rigid leader more at ease with policy documents than inspiring public enthusiasm.

His final vote tally in 2002 – 16.18% compared to Le Pen’s 16.86% – dashed his presidential ambitions forever. Though Le Pen was decisively defeated by center-right President Jacques Chirac in the runoff, Jospin never returned to prominent political roles.

EARLY LIFE AND IDEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

Born in 1937 in a middle-class Paris suburb, Lionel Robert Jospin inherited both the discipline of his Protestant upbringing and the socialist activism of his parents – unusual in a nation that is traditionally Catholic but maintains secular public institutions.

His father Robert worked as a teacher and organized for the French Section of the Workers’ International, which later became the Socialist Party that Jospin would eventually lead. His mother Mireille Dandieu served as a midwife before becoming a nurse and school social worker.

After studying at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris in 1956, he attended the École Nationale d’Administration, where France’s political elite are trained. There he embraced Trotskyist ideology, joining the Internationist Communist Organisation under the alias “Comrade Michel.”

Jospin began working for France’s foreign ministry in 1965 but resigned during the 1968 student uprising against President Charles de Gaulle to pursue studies in America. Upon returning to France in 1970, he taught economics at a Paris university for more than ten years.

He cultivated relationships with Left Bank intellectuals, including Agacinski, whom he wed in 1994. Pushing back against characterizations of his personality, he told reporters in 1999: “When you finally understand that I am a rigid person who evolves, an austere person who laughs, and an atheist Protestant, you will write less nonsense.”

RISE TO POWER

Joining the Socialist Party in 1971, Jospin climbed its hierarchy to become one of President François Mitterrand’s most trusted allies while mentoring future leaders including François Hollande, who would later become president.

Mitterrand, whom Jospin considered a mentor, taught him that politics represented “a will, an art, a culture and a skill,” he later explained to Le Nouvel Observateur magazine. However, by the 1990s, Jospin had emerged as leader of a faction critical of Mitterrand’s legacy.

Following a narrow loss to Chirac in the 1995 presidential race, Jospin got another chance when Chirac called an unexpected parliamentary election in 1997. The left won control of the National Assembly, forcing the president to work with an opposing government led by Jospin.

Television footage from that election night showed Jospin taking notes on a notepad as early returns arrived, already planning his future administration.

While allowing Chirac to handle foreign policy matters, Jospin managed domestic affairs. Leading a coalition of Socialists, Communists and Greens, he abandoned many radical beliefs from his youth.

The former Trotskyist, who eventually acknowledged his extremist past, pursued economic liberalization policies. He sold major state-owned companies and accepted public spending reductions to qualify France for the European single currency.

His leadership coincided with sustained economic growth and falling unemployment, partly due to creating approximately 300,000 public sector jobs for young people and reducing the standard work week from 39 to 35 hours – a change unions praised but many businesses criticized.

This combination of progressive and liberal reforms created tensions with both private sector interests and his coalition partners.

“Remain firm on ends, be flexible on means,” he once stated, a principle that helped him navigate ideological conflicts.

ELECTORAL DEFEAT AND REFLECTION

Just four days before the 2002 presidential election, Jospin dismissed suggestions he might finish third as unrealistic.

However, what appeared to be a standard rematch between Chirac and Jospin was disrupted by Le Pen’s strong showing and competition from multiple left-wing candidates.

Jospin’s third-place finish behind Le Pen sparked massive street demonstrations. Chirac ultimately won overwhelmingly thanks to left-wing voters who supported him to block Le Pen.

“I overestimated the extent to which Jacques Chirac was rejected, and I overestimated how positively the public viewed my record,” he told documentary filmmaker Patrick Rotman in 2010. “I underestimated the impact that the left’s divisions had. I underestimated the first round.”

When asked about losing to Chirac, who was later convicted of using taxpayer money to fund political allies’ fake jobs, Jospin emphasized his principled approach.

“For my part, I simply strove in politics to respect the rules, to cultivate the principles of the Republic, to be honest and to keep my commitments,” he told Rotman.

He expressed pride in leading a government that “worked well for five years and avoided every scandal.”

After briefly considering another campaign, he withdrew, allowing Socialist Ségolène Royal to make an unsuccessful presidential run in 2007.

In 2012, President François Hollande named Jospin to head his Commission on renewal and ethics in public life, focused on eliminating corruption from French politics.

Having earned recognition for his professionalism, he largely escaped the scandals and corruption that tainted many contemporaries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

He leaves behind Agacinski and his children from a previous marriage: composer Hugo and visual artist Eva.

Jospin represented the final generation of traditional French politicians – more connected to academic study and regulation than crowd-pleasing messaging – predating the era when political leaders used social media to reach voters directly.

However, his approach ultimately failed to unite the left’s diverse factions.

In 2002, each of the four parties in his coalition government fielded separate candidates. Had just two of them supported his campaign, he would have won the first round, he reflected in a France Info interview 20 years later.

Regarding his decision on election night to accept full blame for the defeat, he observed with characteristic understatement: “I acted as if I only blamed myself.”

Former French Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin passed away at age 88, according to two sources within his political party who confirmed his death Monday. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Jospin became widely known for a stunning political upset in 2002 when he was defeated in the first round of France’s presidential election by far-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen. On the evening of April 21, 2002, French voters witnessed an unprecedented moment as Le Pen became the first far-right politician in the Republic’s history to advance to a presidential runoff.

Following the shocking results, Jospin spoke to his supporters, accepting complete responsibility for the unexpected loss. Despite appearing visibly shaken but maintaining his composure, he declared his retirement from politics as supporters cried out in dismay. The Socialist leader would never seek elected office again.

Reflecting on that pivotal moment years afterward, Jospin remarked: “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.” This measured response exemplified the restrained demeanor that characterized the politician many considered overly formal.

During his tenure as prime minister between 1997 and 2002, Jospin championed significant progressive legislation. He reduced the standard work week, expanded free medical care, and established civil unions granting unmarried couples – both same-sex and heterosexual – rights equivalent to married partners.

While advocating for progressive social policies, Jospin also embraced fiscal discipline and privatized more government-owned enterprises than any previous leader. His balanced approach was encapsulated in his motto: “Yes to the market economy, no to a market society.”

A Le Monde newspaper editorial from April 22, 2002, noted: “For a time, Lionel Jospin was able to revive reformist politics which, after so many years of crisis, reconciled economic progress with social progress.”

Despite his policy achievements, the serious, white-haired politician with glasses struggled to connect emotionally with voters. His scholarly demeanor and marriage to philosopher Sylviane Agacinski reinforced perceptions of a reserved leader more at ease with policy documents than inspiring public enthusiasm.

The 2002 election results – where Jospin received 16.18% compared to Le Pen’s 16.86% – dashed his presidential ambitions. Though Le Pen ultimately lost decisively to center-right President Jacques Chirac in the runoff, Jospin never returned to prominent political roles.

Born in 1937 in a middle-class Parisian suburb, Lionel Robert Jospin inherited both the discipline of his Protestant upbringing and his parents’ socialist convictions in predominantly Catholic France. His father Robert worked as a teacher and organized for the French Section of the Workers’ International, which later became the Socialist Party Jospin would lead. His mother Mireille served as a midwife before becoming a nurse and school social worker.

After studying at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris in 1956, Jospin attended the École Nationale d’Administration, where France’s governing elite receives training. During this period, he embraced Trotskyist ideology, joining the Internationalist Communist Organisation under the alias “Comrade Michel.”

Jospin began his career at the French foreign ministry in 1965 but resigned during the 1968 student demonstrations against President Charles de Gaulle to pursue studies in America. Upon returning to France in 1970, he spent more than ten years teaching economics at a Paris university.

He cultivated relationships within Left Bank intellectual circles, including his future wife Agacinski, whom he wed in 1994. Addressing misconceptions about his personality in 1999, Jospin told reporters: “When you finally understand that I am a rigid person who evolves, an austere person who laughs, and an atheist Protestant, you will write less nonsense.”

Joining the Socialist Party in 1971, Jospin advanced through party leadership and became a trusted ally of President François Mitterrand, mentoring future leaders like François Hollande. Mitterrand taught him that politics represented “a will, an art, a culture and a skill,” Jospin later explained to Le Nouvel Observateur magazine. However, by the 1990s, he led a faction critical of Mitterrand’s presidency.

After narrowly losing the 1995 presidential race to Chirac, Jospin got another opportunity when Chirac called an unexpected parliamentary election in 1997. The left gained control of the National Assembly, forcing the president to work with an opposing government led by Jospin.

Television footage from that election night showed Jospin taking notes as early returns arrived, already planning his future administration. While Chirac handled foreign affairs, Jospin managed domestic policy despite leading a coalition including Socialists, Communists, and Greens.

The former Trotskyist, who eventually acknowledged his radical background, pursued economic liberalization policies. He sold major state companies and accepted public spending reductions to qualify France for European monetary union participation.

His leadership coincided with sustained economic expansion and declining unemployment, partly due to creating approximately 300,000 youth-oriented public jobs and reducing the standard work week from 39 to 35 hours. Labor unions praised this change while many businesses criticized it.

This combination of progressive and liberal reforms created tensions with both private sector interests and coalition partners. Jospin’s guiding principle was: “Remain firm on ends, be flexible on means.”

Four days before the 2002 presidential election, Jospin dismissed suggestions he might finish third as unrealistic. However, what appeared to be a straightforward rematch between Chirac and Jospin was disrupted by Le Pen’s strong showing and competition from multiple left-wing candidates.

Jospin’s third-place finish behind Le Pen sparked massive street demonstrations. Chirac won the runoff overwhelmingly thanks to left-wing voters supporting him against Le Pen.

In a 2010 interview with documentary filmmaker Patrick Rotman, Jospin analyzed his defeat: “I overestimated the extent to which Jacques Chirac was rejected, and I overestimated how positively the public viewed my record. I underestimated the impact that the left’s divisions had. I underestimated the first round.”

When asked about losing to Chirac, who was later convicted of funding fictitious political positions with taxpayer money, Jospin emphasized his principled approach: “For my part, I simply strove in politics to respect the rules, to cultivate the principles of the Republic, to be honest and to keep my commitments.”

He expressed pride in leading a government that “worked well for five years and avoided every scandal.”

Though he briefly considered another campaign, Jospin stepped aside, allowing Socialist Ségolène Royal’s unsuccessful 2007 presidential attempt. In 2012, President François Hollande named Jospin to head his Commission on renewal and ethics in public life, focused on eliminating corruption from French politics.

Earning recognition for his professionalism, Jospin largely escaped the scandals that tainted many contemporaries during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

He is survived by Agacinski and children from his first marriage: composer Hugo and visual artist Eva.

Jospin represented a traditional style of French politician – more connected to academic study and regulatory details than crowd-pleasing rhetoric – from an era before social media transformed political communication. However, his approach ultimately failed to maintain unity among the left’s diverse factions.

In 2002, each of the four parties in his coalition government nominated separate candidates. Jospin reflected in a France Info interview 20 years later that support from just two of them would have secured first place in the initial voting round.

Regarding his election night decision to accept full responsibility for the loss, he observed with characteristic understatement: “I acted as if I only blamed myself.”