Charles Josselin, former French minister and Socialist figure, dies at 88

Charles Josselin, a prominent figure of the French Socialist Party and a key political leader in Brittany, has died at the age of 88. He passed away during the night of Monday, August 31, to Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Josselin held several significant government positions, serving as Secretary of State for Transport (1985–1986) under Laurent Fabius, Secretary of State for the Sea (1992–1993) under Pierre Bérégovoy, and Minister Delegate for Cooperation and Francophonie (1997–2002) under Lionel Jospin. He also served under François Mitterrand.

A long-time representative of the Côtes-d’Armor department, Josselin was elected as a deputy six times between 1973 and 2002. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament and as a senator. Locally, he presided over the general council of Côtes-d’Armor from 1976 to 1997 and was instrumental in the department's name change from Côtes-du-Nord in 1991.

Olivier Faure, the First Secretary of the Socialist Party, paid tribute to him as an ‘eminent parliamentarian,’ noting the significant mark he left on the party and his colleagues.