French Far-Right Politician, Jean-Marie Le Pen Dies at 96

• Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of France’s far-right National Front party, dies at 96.
• Le Pen was a controversial figure, known for his extremist views on race, gender, and immigration.
• His daughter, Marine Le Pen, transformed the National Front into the National Rally, one of France’s main political forces.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the French far-right politician and founder of the National Front, has passed away at the age of 96.

Le Pen, who had been receiving care in a facility for the past several weeks, died at midday on Tuesday, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his loved ones.

A controversial figure known for his extreme views on race, gender, and immigration, Le Pen was also a Holocaust denier. He founded the far-right National Front party in 1972, and in 2002, he advanced to the presidential election runoff against Jacques Chirac.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

• Polaris Bank’s Initiatives Ensure Continuous Education for Over 16,000 Students
• Verydarkman Pranks Nigerians: No N180 Missing From NGO Funds
• Why I Faked Missing N180m — VeryDarkMan

His daughter, Marine Le Pen, succeeded him as party leader in 2011 and rebranded the party as National Rally, positioning it as a dominant force in French politics. In 2022, Jordan Bardella took over as the party’s head, praising Jean-Marie Le Pen for his lifelong dedication to defending France’s identity and sovereignty.

Political figures from across the spectrum have reacted to Le Pen’s passing. Prime Minister François Bayrou acknowledged his combative spirit, while Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau remarked that “a page of French history had been turned.” Far-right nationalist Eric Zemmour highlighted Le Pen’s role in alerting France to what he called “existential threats.”

On the other side, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing France Unbowed, expressed that while the struggle against Le Pen’s views had ended, the fight against the hatred, racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism he espoused would continue. Mélenchon stated that the actions of Le Pen were “unbearable.”

Le Pen’s legacy remains deeply divisive. His critics denounced him as a bigot, while his staunch anti-immigration policies earned him a loyal following.

FURTHER READING

• Why We Must Increase Call, Data Tariffs In 2025 – Telecoms Operators
• 19 Year old Arraigned in Kaduna for Allegedly Stabbing Uncle
• Diversify or Face Poverty: Abbas Calls for Economic Shift

Despite multiple convictions for controversial remarks, he garnered significant voter support in multiple elections, including a remarkable 2002 presidential runoff.

In 2015, Le Pen was expelled from the National Rally after reiterating his Holocaust denial views, a move that also marked a public feud with his daughter, Marine, who accused him of making such statements to gain attention and re-enter the political spotlight.

Click here to watch our video of the week: