French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has passed away at the age of 93. Le Pen was the founder and former leader of the National Front party, which is now known as the National Rally. He was a controversial figure in French politics, known for his extreme right-wing views and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Le Pen was born in La Trinité-sur-Mer, France in 1928. He served as a paratrooper in the Algerian War before entering politics in the 1950s. He founded the National Front in 1972 and led the party for nearly four decades. Under his leadership, the party gained significant support among French voters, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
Throughout his political career, Le Pen was known for his outspoken and divisive views on issues such as immigration, Islam, and the European Union. He was often accused of xenophobia and racism, and his comments sparked controversy and protests in France and beyond.
Despite his controversial reputation, Le Pen remained a prominent figure in French politics for many years. He ran for president five times, with his best result coming in 2002 when he made it to the second round of the election, ultimately losing to Jacques Chirac.
Le Pen’s daughter, Marine Le Pen, succeeded him as leader of the National Front in 2011 and has since rebranded the party as the National Rally. She has moderated some of the party’s more extreme positions in an effort to broaden its appeal to French voters.
The news of Jean-Marie Le Pen’s death has sparked mixed reactions in France. While some have mourned his passing and praised his commitment to his political beliefs, others have condemned his divisive rhetoric and the harm it caused to marginalized communities.
Overall, Jean-Marie Le Pen’s death marks the end of an era in French politics. His legacy will continue to be debated and remembered for years to come, as France grapples with the ongoing challenges of populism and xenophobia in its political landscape.