Jean-Marie Le Pen, French Far-Right Political Figure, Passes Away at 96

Jean-Marie Le Pen's legacy as a controversial figure in French politics deepens following his death, fostering polarized reactions regarding his impact on nationalism, immigration, and extremism in France.

French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has passed away at the age of 96, as confirmed by a family statement shared with AFP. Le Pen had been residing in a care facility for several weeks, and he died on Tuesday, surrounded by his loved ones.

Known for his radical views on race, gender, and immigration, Le Pen founded the National Front party in 1972, which later evolved into the National Rally under the leadership of his daughter, Marine Le Pen. His political career saw him controversially reach the presidential election runoff against Jacques Chirac in 2002, marking a significant milestone for the French far-right.

Following the announcement of his death, Jordan Bardella, who succeeded Marine Le Pen as party chair in 2022, stated that Jean-Marie Le Pen had "always served France" and advocated for its identity and sovereignty. Meanwhile, far-right nationalist Eric Zemmour expressed that, despite the controversies surrounding him, Le Pen was pivotal in alerting France to existential threats.

Contrarily, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical left France Unbowed (LFI), emphasized the critical juxtaposition of respecting the deceased while condemning their actions. According to Mélenchon, the struggles against Le Pen's propagated ideologies of hatred, racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism persist, despite the end of his physical presence.

For several decades, Jean-Marie Le Pen stood as a highly controversial political figure in France, often labeled a far-right bigot. His statements and actions led to multiple court convictions due to his extreme remarks. In 2015, he was expelled from the National Rally after once again repeating his Holocaust denial claims, which were viewed as attempts to regain relevance amid a public dispute with his daughter.