Jean-Marie Le Pen, the enfant terrible of French politics who normalised populism
The far-right bogeyman of French politics laid the foundation for today’s polarising rhetoric across Europe
The first time Jean-Marie Le Pen stood in a French presidential election, in 1974, he won 0.75% of the vote. Half a century later, his daughter Marine leads the largest party in France’s parliament and could well become its next head of state.
Le Pen senior, who died on Tuesday aged 96, was for decades the far-right bogeyman of French politics, an eternal provocateur whose unabashed racism and antisemitism suggested he was much more interested in stoking outrage than in wielding power.
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Jean-Marie Le Pen, Far-Right French Firebrand Politician, Dies at 96
He co-founded what became France’s biggest opposition party, National Rally, rooted in deep anti-immigrant sentiment.The Wall Street Journal - 1d -
Jean-Marie Le Pen obituary
Leader of the Front National who took the far right into the mainstream of French politics. On the evening of 21 April 2002 the result of the first round of voting in the French presidential ...The Guardian - 22h -
Jean-Marie Le Pen, Rabble-Rousing Leader of French Far Right, Dies at 96
He ran unsuccessfully for the French presidency five times, riding waves of discontent and xenophobia as the leader of the National Front party.The New York Times - 23h -
French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen dies at 96
Le Pen - an unrepentant extremist on race, gender and immigration - founded the far-right National Front in 1972.BBC News - 1d -
Jean-Marie Le Pen, French far-right leader, dies at 96
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right National Front who was known for fiery rhetoric against immigration and multiculturalism that earned him both staunch supporters and widespread ...ABC News - 1d -
French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen dies at 96
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right National Front who was known for fiery rhetoric against immigration and multiculturalism that earned him both staunch supporters and widespread ...NBC News - 1d -
Jean-Marie Le Pen, French far-right politician, 1928-2025
National Front founder led the movement for decades before passing the baton to his daughter MarineFinancial Times - 1d -
Jean-Marie Le Pen - founder of French far right and 'Devil of the Republic'
A Holocaust denier and unrepentant extremist on race and immigration, the far-right politician has died at 96.BBC News - 1d -
Jean-Marie Le Pen, French far-right leader, dies aged 96
Former paratrooper led National Front party for decades and courted controversy, being repeatedly fined for contesting crimes against humanity. Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right ...The Guardian - 1d
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