She stayed on the sidelines in Jospin's candidacy for president in 1995, but was much more active in his candidacy for president in 2002. At that time she changed her name to Agacinski-Jospin to "bow to the will of the people", but continues to use her maiden name as a philosopher.
As an observer of Jospin's presidential bid in 1995, she kept a low profile. However, in his 2002 campaign, she became more actively engaged. She then changed her surname to Agacinski-Jospin to show deference to public opinion, but continues to use her birth name as a philosopher.