
Former French PM Jospin Dies Aged 88
The ex-PM will be remembered for introducing gay partnerships in France and for being defeated in the first round of the presidential elections by Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2002.

The ex-PM will be remembered for introducing gay partnerships in France and for being defeated in the first round of the presidential elections by Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2002.

Jean-Marie Le Pen’s enemies—experts in deceptive caricature—will inevitably point to all his faults; but these matter little because they are just minor aspects of an extraordinary life dedicated to the defence of country.

The French political class is in an awkward position: how to mark the passing of the founder of the Front National without granting him posthumous legitimacy?

Today, when France is commemorating ten years of surrender to Islamism since the Charlie Hebdo massacre, issues broached by Le Pen continue to shape debate.

The politician is 94 years old. His adviser told AFP that his family and friends were “worried, but serene.”

Jordan Bardella’s campaign relied entirely on the theme of continuity and loyalty with Marine Le Pen. In his inaugural speech, he focused on the traditional themes of the Rassemblement National, emphasising migration and civilisational issues.

His underwhelming flop among the general electorate notwithstanding, the right-wing candidate has exposed a deep fracture within France’s Jewish community that may reappear in future races.

Marion Maréchal backs Zemmour’s campaign strategy which seeks to unite the ‘patriotic bourgeoisie’ and the working class.

The founder and patriarch of the family, Jean-Marie Le Pen, chose to speak out in the political-family feud that finds his daughter and granddaughter on opposite sides. He gave his full support to Marine Le Pen for the presidential campaign.