French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen dies aged 96
Jean-Marie Le Pen who founded France’s far-right National Rally party has died aged 96, according to The Guardian on January 7th. Le Pen courted controversy over the years for his views on the holocaust and had been fined for statements about Muslims in France.
The former paratrooper led the party from 1972 until 2011, when it was called the National Front, after which leadership was taken over by his daughter Marine.
Many were shocked when he knocked Socialist Lionel Jospin out of the presidential race in the 2002 first round, although he subsequently lost to Jacques Chirac who won with a thumping 82% of the vote.
The Guardian
