Early Life And Career

Jean-Marie Le Pen: A Controversial Figure in French Politics

Early Life and Career

Jean-Marie Le Pen was born on June 20, 1928, in La Trinité-sur-Mer, Morbihan, France. His father, Jean Le Pen, was a fisherman, and his mother, Anne-Marie Hervé, was the daughter of a fisherman. Le Pen's father died in World War II when Le Pen was just a young boy.

In 1949, Le Pen moved to Paris to attend law school. He became involved in politics while at university, joining the far-right group Jeunes Indépendants de Paris. In 1954, he was elected president of the group.

National Front Party

In 1972, Le Pen founded the National Front party. The party is known for its extreme right-wing views, including its anti-immigration and anti-European Union stance. Le Pen has been accused of racism and xenophobia, and he has been convicted of hate speech several times.

Presidential Campaign

Le Pen has run for president of France five times. He came in second place in the 2002 presidential election, losing to Jacques Chirac. In the 2017 presidential election, Le Pen came in third place, behind Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, his daughter.

Conclusion

Jean-Marie Le Pen is a controversial figure in French politics. His extreme right-wing views have drawn both support and condemnation. He remains an influential figure in the French political landscape, despite his declining health and advancing age.