Jean-Marie Le Pen, a defining figure in France’s post-war far-right movement, has died at the age of 96. Born on June 20, 1928, Le Pen was present at every stage of the French far right’s history, from founding the National Front party to his election as France’s youngest lawmaker.
Le Pen’s political career spanned decades and was marked by controversy. He co-founded the National Front with wartime Nazi collaborators in 1972 and received a suspended prison sentence for “apology of war crimes” in the 1960s. Le Pen repeatedly denied crimes against humanity, inciting fines on multiple occasions.
His daughter, Marine Le Pen, succeeded him as leader of the National Front (now known as the National Rally) and modernized the party’s rhetoric. Despite controversy surrounding her father, Marine has achieved significant success, including winning 41.5% of the vote in the 2022 parliamentary elections.
Le Pen’s legacy is complex, with some viewing him as a champion of French identity and sovereignty, while others see him as a purveyor of hatred, racism, and anti-Semitism. His granddaughter, Marion Maréchal, has even established her own party to the right, cementing the dynasty’s hold on French politics.
The far-right movement in France continues to evolve, with Marine Le Pen at its forefront. As the political landscape shifts, Jean-Marie Le Pen’s impact will be remembered for years to come.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/07/europe/jean-marie-le-pen-dies-founder-national-front-party-france-intl/index.html