Jean-Marie Le Pen: The Man Who Shaped the Far-Right in France

On January 7, 2025, Jean-Marie Le Pen, co-founder of the Front National, passed away at the age of 96, marking the end of an era. His name will forever be associated with the far-right in France, a movement he carried on the political stage for over 50 years. However, his career, marked by a controversial strategy of provocations and scandals, long hindered his path to power, until his daughter, Marine Le Pen, took the reins of the movement.

A Life Shaped by Family Legacy

Jean-Marie Le Pen was born on June 20, 1928, in La Trinité-sur-Mer, in a family of fishermen. At the age of 13, the tragic death of his father, a municipal councilor, at sea deeply marked him. Becoming a ward of the nation, the young boy turned to literature and, at 16, unsuccessfully attempted to join the French Forces of the Interior. He then joined the military, where he formed a lasting friendship with Alain Delon.

Political Career: A Rapid Rise

At 27, Jean-Marie Le Pen became one of the youngest deputies in the French Parliament after his victory in the 1956 legislative elections, running under the Union and Fraternity of France banner. However, his political career was briefly interrupted when he enlisted in the Algerian War, participating in bloody events, including the Battle of Algiers, which left a lasting impact on his biography.

The First Steps of the Front National

In 1972, Le Pen co-founded the Front National, a political movement inspired by the Italian MSI. Despite modest electoral results, his provocative strategy attracted attention, especially from the far-left, making him a controversial figure. After a bomb attack on his apartment in 1976, he sought refuge with a friend, which allowed him to fully focus on his political career.

Jean-Marie Le Pen made history in the far-right movement with his radical stances and repeated scandals. These controversies, although sometimes deterring him from gaining power, nonetheless allowed him to leave a lasting mark on the French political landscape. His career featured moments of triumph, such as the electoral success in 1983 in Dreux and his first European mandate in 1984, but also scandalous remarks, like his comments on the gas chambers and his speech on racial inequality. These incidents led to multiple legal convictions, but also garnered him significant support from a portion of the population, enabling him to accumulate important electoral results, notably in the 1988 presidential elections.

The Growing FN: Dreux, the First Victory

In 1983, during the cantonal elections in Dreux, Le Pen achieved his first true electoral success, securing 10% of the vote. He became an undeniable figure in the political scene, his media strategy catapulting him into the most prominent televised debates, attracting national attention.

Provocations and Conflicts: The Le Pen Trademark

His career was marked by scandalous statements, such as his description of the gas chambers as a “detail of history.” These remarks led to several convictions, but also solidified his support among a segment of the population, helping him secure significant electoral victories, particularly in the 1988 presidential election.

The Rise and Internal Struggles

In the 1990s, the Front National experienced significant growth. In 2002, Jean-Marie Le Pen managed to reach the second round of the presidential election, an event that shook the French political landscape. Although he lost to Jacques Chirac, this unexpected result marked a turning point for the French far-right. It was the year when he caused national shock by surpassing Lionel Jospin, propelling his party into a new phase.

However, the party went through internal crises, with the rise of his heir, Bruno Mégret, and a series of family departures that weakened the movement. Jean-Marie Le Pen never managed to stabilize his position after 2002, while his daughter, Marine Le Pen, took control of the FN in 2011, leading to a definitive break with him.

Retirement and the End of a Career

In the final years of his life, Jean-Marie Le Pen gradually withdrew from the political stage. While he maintained influence, particularly by supporting his daughter Marine and expressing admiration for Éric Zemmour, he remained discreet, focusing on his memoirs and legacy. In 2021, his health declined, and he entered into a “protective mandate,” a form of guardianship.

Jean-Marie Le Pen left behind a complex legacy and an indelible mark on the French political landscape. While his career was often characterized by controversy and provocation, it also paved the way for the transformation of the far-right in France, a movement now carried on by his daughter Marine Le Pen. His death at 96 on January 7, 2025, marks the end of an era during which his influence was ever-present, from the earliest political upheavals to his symbolic role in politics.