Jean-Marie Le Pen: Controversial politician dies aged 96

Jean-Marie Le Pen: Controversial politician dies aged 96

In a surprising twist, news of the death of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the esteemed 96-year-old founder of France's far-right National Front party, is in the headlines today (January 7, 2025). He died surrounded by his family in a nursing home in the Paris suburb of Garches, his family told the AFP news agency. Le Pen leaves behind a controversial legacy, having been repeatedly convicted of racism and anti-Semitism and sparking heated controversy throughout his career.

Le Pen gained international attention when he surprisingly made it into the runoff of the French presidential election in 2002 against the conservative Jacques Chirac. This was a significant moment in French politics and sparked nationwide discussions about right-wing extremism. His resignation from party leadership in 2011 and subsequent expulsion from his own party in 2015, following pressure from his daughter Marine Le Pen, made him a controversial figure within his own political movement, now known as Rassemblement National. Marine Le Pen, meanwhile, is planning to run for a fourth time in the next presidential election and has been on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte in recent days, as Stuttgart newspaper reported.

A life full of controversy

The late Jean-Marie Le Pen was not only a polarizing figure, but also a key figure in the rise of right-wing extremism in France. His path in politics was peppered with provocative statements and political strategies that were repeatedly criticized. His influence on the French right and the People's Party will continue to be debated after his death. His life and work not only shaped the stage of French politics, but also sparked a debate about racism and national identity beyond the country's borders Vienna.at summarizes.