Jean-Marie Le Pen is a five-time presidential candidate in France, where he heads the far-right party Front National.
Fast Facts:
- Born June 20, 1928, in La Trinite sur Mer, France, France
- Party: Front National
- Assumed Office: 1984
- Left Office: April 10, 2003
- Spouse: Jeanne-Marie Paschos
- Has three daughters
- Previous Position/Office:
- Preceded by: if applicable
- Finished fourth in 2007 Presidential election
- Banned from European Parliament for assaulting another candidate
- Was a member of the French Foreign Legion
Background
Le Pen's primary focuses include immigration, the European Union and the unemployment rate in France. He's also an advocate for things like immigration restrictions, the death penalty and euroscepticism.
Political Background
Le Pen's political career began in Toulouse, where he was a part of the student union. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1956, as a member of the UDCA party. In 1957, he became the General Secretary of the National Front of Combatants. The following year he was re-elected as part of the Centre National des Independants et Paysans party. In 1972, he founded the Front National party. In 1984, he won a seat on the European Parliament. In 2000, he was suspended from the Parliament after he attacked Annette Peulvast-Bergeal during the 1997 general election. He lost his seat in 2003.
Controversy
Le Pen has often been accused of having Xenophobia, and of being Anti-Semitic. He has also been accused of having Holocaust denial, and of using torture during the Algerian War.
