In brief
Jean-Marie Le Pen's death marks the end of an era for the far-right in France, while sparking varied reactions from different political factions.
French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has passed away at the age of 96, as confirmed by a family statement sent to AFP. He died at midday on Tuesday in a care facility, surrounded by loved ones. Le Pen founded the National Front party in 1972, known for its extreme views on race, gender, and immigration, and gained notoriety as a Holocaust denier. In 2002, he made headlines by reaching the presidential runoff against Jacques Chirac. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, has since rebranded the party as National Rally, transforming it into one of France’s principal political entities.Jordan Bardella, the current party leader, praised Le Pen for his commitment to defending France’s identity, while far-right nationalist Eric Zemmour noted his role in warning France about existential threats. On the other hand, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing France Unbowed party, condemned Le Pen's divisive legacy, emphasizing that the battle against the ideologies he propagated continues. Over decades, Le Pen became a polarizing figure, facing multiple legal challenges for his inflammatory statements, and was ultimately expelled from the party in 2015 after reaffirming his Holocaust denial views amidst a conflict with his daughter.
