Founder of France’s Far-Right Movement, Jean-Marie Le Pen, dies at 96

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right National Front party and one of the most popular figures in the nation’s modern political history, has passed away at the age of 96.

Le Pen’s death was confirmed by his family, marking the end of a life that shaped France’s political landscape. Known for his provocative statements and divisive rhetoric, Le Pen was both revered and reviled for his far-right views.

Despite his views, Le Pen made history in 2002 by advancing to the second round of the French presidential election, a first for a far-right candidate in France. He ultimately lost to Jacques Chirac in a landslide, but the moment marked the National Front’s most significant political breakthrough at the time.

Le Pen’s later years were marked by estrangement from his daughter, Marine Le Pen, who took over leadership of the National Front in 2011 and rebranded it as the National Rally (Rassemblement National). In 2015, she expelled him from the party following repeated controversial remarks, including reiterations of his Holocaust comment.

Jean-Marie Le Pen’s legacy remains deeply complex. While supporters hailed him as a patriotic voice who stood against political elites, critics denounced him as a symbol of far-right extremism in Europe.

His death closes a chapter on a career that left a lasting mark on France, but the debates surrounding his ideology and influence are likely to continue for years to come.

(BBC)

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