In brief
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the notorious founder of France's far-right National Front party, has passed away at the age of 96. His family confirmed the news, stating he died peacefully at midday on Tuesday in a care facility, surrounded by loved ones. Known for his extremist views, including Holocaust denial, Le Pen became a prominent figure in French politics from the 1970s onwards and famously reached the presidential election runoff in 2002 against Jacques Chirac.
Le Pen’s daughter, Marine, who took over the leadership and rebranded the party to National Rally in 2011, has faced mixed reactions following the news of his passing. Jordan Bardella, her successor, praised him for his dedication to France, while far-right nationalist Eric Zemmour noted that he was among the first to warn of threats facing the nation. On the other hand, Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the left-leaning France Unbowed criticized Le Pen’s legacy of hatred and bigotry. Despite the polarizing responses, it's clear that Le Pen has left a significant mark on political discourse in France, continuing to evoke fierce debate long after his career.
