Jean-Marie Le Pen Far-right national front party dies - Father of Marine Le Pen
Introduction
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the controversial founder of France’s far-right National Front party, has died at the age of 96. Le Pen passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in a hospital in Garches, west of Paris.
Legacy and Impact
Jean-Marie Le Pen was a polarizing figure in French politics, known for his fiery rhetoric against immigration and multiculturalism. He founded the National Front party in 1972, which has since been rebranded as the National Rally under the leadership of his daughter, Marine Le Pen.
Political Career
Ran unsuccessfully for the French presidency five times
Shocked the nation by reaching the presidential runoff in 2002
Served as a member of the European Parliament
Controversial Views
Le Pen was notorious for his provocative statements, including:
Holocaust denial, referring to Nazi gas chambers as “a detail” of history
Anti-immigrant and xenophobic rhetoric
Claims about racial inequality and conspiracy theories
These views led to multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred and misrepresenting historical facts.
Family and Party Dynamics
In 2011, Marine Le Pen took over leadership of the National Front and sought to distance the party from her father’s extremist reputation. This led to a bitter public feud between father and daughter, culminating in Jean-Marie Le Pen’s expulsion from the party he founded in 2015.
Reactions to His Death
Jordan Bardella, current president of the National Rally, confirmed Le Pen’s death and praised him for serving France
French President Emmanuel Macron sent condolences to Le Pen’s family, stating that “history will judge” his role in France’s political life
Conclusion
Jean-Marie Le Pen’s death marks the end of an era in French far-right politics, but his influence continues to shape the political landscape in France and beyond.
