In Fréjus, a mass in tribute to Jean-Marie Le Pen is organized this Friday, January 17, while that planned in Toulon was refused.
More than a week after the death of Jean-Marie Le Pen, several tributes have been paid in France, particularly in the Var. A mass will be organized this Friday, January 17, in Fréjus, BFM Toulon Var has learned.
The ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. at Saint-Léonce Cathedral. Fréjus is currently the only large regional city led by a mayor of the National Rally, namely David Rachline.
“No political tribute”
On the other hand, another mass in tribute to the founder of the National Front had initially been requested in Toulon but it will ultimately not be held, as Var-Matin reported this Wednesday. “I don’t want a political tribute, just to pray for the salvation of man,” explained the abbot of the Saint François-de Paule church to BFM Toulon Var.
Died on January 7, at the age of 96, the far-right figure was buried in Trinité-sur-Mer the following Saturday. A mass in his memory was organized in Paris on January 16, at the initiative of Marine Le Pen and her sisters.
This mass was open to the public unlike the funeral which was held in the strictest family privacy last Saturday.
Jean-Marie Le Pen founded the National Front (which became the National Rally) in 1972. He was condemned for several of his statements on the Second World War, and for homophobic insults.
Elected deputy in 1956 under the 4th Republic, he brought the French far right out of its marginality during a political career which marked the 5th Republic.
This veteran of Indochina then returned to Algeria, where he will be accused of torture – something he has always contested. He reached the second round of the presidential election, losing his duel against Jacques Chirac in 2002.
Jasmine Bousquet with Maïwenn Furic
