00:00Now, also in France, former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin was honoured today in Paris.
00:05President Emmanuel Macron led a national tribute to the influential socialist statesman
00:09who introduced the 35-hour workweek and civil unions for both gay and straight couples.
00:17As Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin was determined to honour the commitments he had made to the French people.
00:25With unwavering resolve and a strong sense of organisation,
00:30leading a government made up of numerous political figures who left their mark on the life of the country.
00:40He helped usher France into the new century that was beginning.
00:47Well, France 24's Clémence Waller was at the Invalide in Paris where that funeral took place.
00:51She told us more.
00:57A man respected by all, with unlimited determination, who helped modernise France.
01:02Those are just some of the words used by French President Emmanuel Macron
01:05to describe former Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin during today's 30-minute solemn national tribute.
01:13Now, the French President also recounted Lionel Jospin's career and legacy,
01:17highlighting how in 1981 he became head of the Socialist Party
01:20before becoming Prime Minister in 1997 under right-wing President Jacques Chirac,
01:27when former President Jacques Chirac called for snap elections.
01:30And Jospin managed to rally the left under the plural left banner,
01:34winning the vote and forcing the government into cohabitation,
01:39which is when a President and Prime Minister are on separate political sites.
01:43Now, part of Lionel Jospin's legacy includes installing the 35-hour workweek,
01:48still in vogue today in France,
01:49as well as installing the civil partnerships for same-sex couples,
01:54the first step to legalising gay marriage in France.
01:58Lionel Jospin was praised on both sides of the political divide
02:02for his integrity, his morals, and for sticking to his convictions,
02:06and will be buried later today at Mubana Cemetery.
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