The French political landscape loses one of its most controversial figures with the disappearance of Jean-Marie Le Pendied this Tuesday at the age of 96 in Garches, in the Hauts-de-Seine. The founder of Front nationalwhich became the National Rally, died at 12:00 p.m. in the medical establishment where he had been staying for several weeks, surrounded by members of his family.
This charismatic tribune, nicknamed “ the menhir » in reference to his Breton origins, will have had a profound impact on French political life for more than half a century. Veteran of Indochina and Algeria, Jean-Marie Le Pen has established himself as an essential figure of the far right, managing to bring it out of its political marginality. His career reached its peak during his surprise qualification in the second round of the 2002 presidential election, an event which shook the French political landscape.
The last months of his life were marked by a progressive deterioration in his health. A medical assessment carried out last June revealed a significant weakening of his physical and mental capacities, forcing him in particular to renounce his presence at the trial of the parliamentary assistants of the National Front which was held in Paris between September and November.
Jordan Bardellathe current president of the National Rally, saluted the memory of a man who, according to him, “ always served France, defended its identity and sovereignty“. His daughter Marine Le Penwho took over the reins of the party in 2011, was traveling to Mayotte at the time of his death, gradually leading the movement towards a strategy of “ demonization » which marked a break with his father’s political legacy.
Sultry character, Jean-Marie Le Pen has been at the center of numerous controversies throughout his career, particularly because of his positions on immigration and his controversial statements. His provocative style and incisive rhetoric deeply marked French political life, leaving a lasting imprint on the movement he created and more broadly on national public debate.
