In brief
Jean-Marie Le Pen, a prominent figure in France's far-right political movement, has died at the age of 96. His family confirmed the news through a statement sent to AFP, noting he passed away on Tuesday, surrounded by loved ones in a care facility. As the founder of the National Front party in 1972, Le Pen gained notoriety for his controversial views on race, gender, and immigration, including his Holocaust denial. In 2002, he reached the presidential runoff against Jacques Chirac before his daughter, Marine Le Pen, took over the party in 2011 and rebranded it as the National Rally.
Jordan Bardella, the current party chair, paid tribute to his predecessor, stating that Le Pen "always served France" and upheld its national identity. Meanwhile, far-right commentator Eric Zemmour acknowledged Le Pen's role in raising awareness about perceived existential threats to France. Conversely, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent leftist leader, criticized Le Pen's legacy, emphasizing the ongoing battle against the hatred and prejudice he propagated. Known for his polarizing presence in French politics, Le Pen was labeled a bigot by critics and incurred legal repercussions for his extreme statements, ultimately being expelled from the National Rally in 2015 following another incident of Holocaust denial.
