Jean-Marie Le Pen Dies at 96, Far-Right Legacy

Jean-Marie Le Pen, a controversial figure and founder of France's far-right National Front party, has died at 96. Known for his extremist views and multiple convictions for hate speech, Le Pen shocked the French political scene in 2002 by reaching the presidential election runoff against Jacques Chirac. Although ultimately defeated, his campaign marked a significant moment in mainstreaming far-right politics in France. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, succeeded him as party leader, rebranding it as the National Rally and continuing to influence French politics. Le Pen's legacy includes not only his divisive rhetoric but also the normalization of far-right ideologies across Europe, influencing contemporary political movements. His life and career reflect a long journey from political fringes to mainstream acceptance of far-right ideologies.