French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has died at the age of 96, as confirmed by his family.
Le Pen, known for his deeply controversial stances on race, gender, and immigration, founded the National Front party (now known as the National Rally) back in 1972. His political career spanned over five decades, marking him as one of the most polarizing figures in contemporary French political history.
According to the family statement shared with AFP, Le Pen died at midday on Tuesday, having been hospitalized for several weeks prior. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones at the care facility located in Garches, west of Paris.
Throughout his career, Le Pen was often described as the embodiment of the far-right movement in France, championing populist arguments and anti-immigration rhetoric, which gained traction especially starting the 1980s. Despite his efforts, the party struggled with public perception due to Le Pen's radical and often inflammatory remarks.
One of the pivotal moments of his political evolution occurred during the 2002 presidential election when he shockingly reached the runoff against Jacques Chirac. This extraordinary achievement sent shockwaves through the political establishment as Le Pen garnered around 17.8 percent of the vote, illustrating the deep discontent among French voters.
The current president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, praised Le Pen, stating, "Jean-Marie had always served France and defended its identity and sovereignty." Such accolades highlight how Le Pen was perceived by his supporters as a courageous figure unafraid to say what was on his mind.
Conversely, Le Pen's legacy is marred by accusations of racism, antisemitism, and multiple legal convictions stemming from Holocaust denial and inflammatory comments throughout his tenure. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical left France Unbowed (LFI), remarked, "The struggle against the man is over. That against the hatred, racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism he spread continues."
Le Pen's political career was fraught with controversies, prompting him to face public outcry and legal challenges regularly. His remarks about the Holocaust, particularly downplaying its severity, did considerable damage to his party's image, resulting in expulsion from the National Rally by his daughter, Marine Le Pen, back in 2015.
Marine Le Pen took over the leadership of the party and worked to shed its extreme image, rebranding it as the National Rally. This effort aimed to broaden its electoral appeal, culminating in her significant success during recent elections, which saw the party secure 89 seats—its largest parliamentary presence to date.
Eric Zemmour, another prominent far-right nationalist, stated, "Beyond the controversies and the scandals, Le Pen will be remembered for being among the first to alert France of the existential threats lurking." This sentiment reflects both admiration for his political impact and recognition of the divisive nature of his policies.
Le Pen's upbringing shaped his perspectives. Born on June 20, 1928, he lost his father at the young age of 14 and served in the French Foreign Legion, where experiences during the Algerian War of Independence deeply influenced his political ideology. He framed the loss of Algeria as one of the greatest betrayals, which ignited his lifelong disdain for certain political figures, particularly Charles de Gaulle.
His initial political rise came through the establishment of the Front National (FN) party. Though his early attempts at presidential bids yielded little success, with less than 1% of the vote during the 1974 election, over time, the FN began to gain traction with its strong anti-immigrant policies, positioning Le Pen as a leading voice for nationalists across France.
Despite the controversies he faced, Le Pen's party became one of the most powerful far-right movements across Europe, influencing the political narratives even beyond France. The normalization of his extreme views signaled changing attitudes within the mainstream, and his party continues to wield significant political influence.
Jean-Marie Le Pen will be remembered as both the co-founder of the French far-right political ideology and as its most controversial face. While his death marks the end of an era, the ideologies he propagated continue to resonate within certain factions of French society, ensuring his legacy remains contentious.