Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the French far-right National Front party, has died aged 96.
Le Pen shook the French political establishment when he unexpectedly reached the presidential election run-off vote against Jacques Chirac in 2002, with his pugnacious mix of populism and charisma.
Jean-Marie Le Pen succeeded her father as party chief in 2011.
She has since run for the presidency three times and turned the party, now branded the National Rally, into one of the country’s main political forces.
Born in 1928, Le Pen championed immigration issues in France throughout his political career.
Related Posts
He led the National Front from 1972 to 2011, served as its honorary president, and his daughter eventually ousted him.
This breaking news story is unfolding; we will publish more details shortly.”
