PARIS (AP) — 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 condemnation, has died. He was 96.

In a poll on January 5th of the 50 favourite French public figures, the only politicians who featured were Ms Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, her lieutenant. Jean-Marie Le Pen inhabited the unfrequentable margins. Ms Le Pen has never looked closer to power. ■

The death of Jean-Marie Le Pen occurs therefore at a time when French politics is facing one of its worst crisis. Far from being a bulwark against the far right, Macron has paved the way for the National Rally by mainstreaming its discourse and politics.

Marine Le Pen, parliamentary leader of France's far-right National Rally, on Wednesday commemorated the death of her father and the party's founder. Jean-Marie Le Pen. "A venerable age had taken the warrior,

The elder Le Pen is dead, but far-right populists across the world still echo his mix of violent rhetoric, brazen lies, and outreach to mainstream conservatives.

By founding the National Front in 1972 — which has since been rebranded and is led by his daughter Marine Le Pen — Jean-Marie Le Pen ushered in a new brand of extreme-right politics. His legacy remains embedded in some of today’s dominant political parties.

Marie Le Pen, the historic leader of France's far-right political movement, died Tuesday at the age of 96, the French news agency AFP said, citing his family. Le Pen, who had been in a care facility for several weeks,

Le Pen, the founder of France's notoriously antisemitic and xenophobic National Front party, has died at the age of 96.

The death of Jean-Marie Le Pen, former leader of the party once known as the National Front, occurs at a time when the mainstreaming of far-right politics

The Place de la République, Paris, France Video Recording Date/Time: January 7, 2025 at 20:10h The nationalist and founder of the French far-right National Rally party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, died aged 96 on Tuesday,

The co-founder of France's main postwar far-right movement Jean-Marie Le Pen divided the country even beyond the grave on Wednesday, with the government slamming street celebrations that took place in some French cities after his death.