Controversial French Political Figure Jean-Marie Le Pen's Death, Daughter Marine Le Pen's Election Plans

Controversial French Political Figure Jean-Marie Le Pen's Death, Daughter Marine Le Pen's Election Plans

Paris, January 11, 2025: Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s main far-right party, the National Front, and a controversial figure in French politics, was buried on Saturday in a private family ceremony in his hometown of La Trinité-sur-Mer in Brittany.

Le Pen, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 96, has reignited debates about his divisive political legacy. According to French media reports, he will be interred alongside his parents.

While Saturday's funeral remains a strictly family-only event, a public ceremony honoring Le Pen is scheduled for January 16 at the Notre Dame du Val-de-Grâce church in Paris. This event will provide both supporters and detractors an opportunity to reflect on his impact on the nation's political landscape.

Le Pen’s daughter, Marine Le Pen, transformed the National Front into the National Rally, making it one of France’s most influential political forces. She is now planning to run for president in the 2027 election.

Key Milestones in Le Pen’s Life:

1954-1957
Born in 1928 in the western region of Brittany, Jean-Marie Le Pen served in the military, fighting to maintain French colonial rule in Indochina and Algeria. He was a paratrooper in the 1957 battle of Algiers.

1972
Jean-Marie Le Pen founded the National Front to promote his anti-immigration, nationalist views and to run as a presidential candidate in the 1974 election, where he received 0.74% of the vote.

1984
The National Front solidified its political presence in France, winning 10 seats in the European Parliament.

1987
In an interview, Le Pen referred to Nazi gas chambers as a "detail in World War II history."

2002
Le Pen reached the second round of the French presidential election, shocking the political scene. Conservative rival Jacques Chirac went on to win with 82% of the vote.

2011
Marine Le Pen took over as the leader of the National Front and attempted to mainstream the party.

2015
Jean-Marie Le Pen was expelled from the National Front due to increasingly controversial statements.

2017 and 2022
Marine Le Pen ran for president twice, reaching the second round both times but losing to Emmanuel Macron.

2024
The National Rally emerged as one of the leading opposition parties in the French National Assembly. In the same year, Marine Le Pen faces trial over allegations of misuse of European Union funds, with a verdict expected in March that could result in a potential prison sentence and a ban on running for political office.

This report highlights the political legacy of the Le Pen family and their significant contributions to French politics.